African Presence in Mexico May 9, 2009

The African Presence in Mexico: From Yanga to the Present.
This exhibition examines the overlooked history of African contributions to Mexican culture. In 1609 Yanga, an African leader, founded the first free African township in the Americas— almost a century after Africans first arrived in Mexico (in 1519). Africans have continued to contribute their artistic, culinary, musical, and cultural traditions to Mexican culture. The exhibition features paintings, prints, movie posters, photographs, sculpture, costumes, masks, musical instruments, and other examples of art and popular culture.

The exhibition was curated by Sagrario Cruz-Carretero of the University of Veracruz and Cesáreo Moreno, visual arts director at the National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago.

Exhibition on view through Sunday, August 23, 2009.
http://www.museumca.org/exhibit/exhi_apim.html

JOIN US
Saturday, May 9, 12- 4 p.m.
The African Presence in Mexico Community Opening.

Join us for a performance by Cascada de Flores of "The Tree and the Donkey Who Wanted to Sing," a story that embraces the diversity of indigenous, Spanish, and African roots in traditional Mexican music and dance. Hear the rhythms of Africa as Diamano Coura jams with Cascada de Flores. Watch a slide show presentation about the exhibition with co-curator Cesareo Moreno. Included with museum admission.

For more information visit us online at www.museumca.org

UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS:

Squeak Carnwath: Painting is no Ordinary Object
http://www.museumca.org/exhibit/exhi_carnwath.html
Opens Saturday, April 25

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