CAAM Here & Now - Winter 2020

here & now California African American Museum Winter 2020

welcome.

We see you, 2020! And we welcome you.

The phrase “20/20” invokes clear vision. That’s a guiding principle at CAAM as we aim to fulfill our mission—to examine black art, history, and culture with an emphasis on California and the West—with clarity, creativity, and determination.

To start the year off right, we focus on the foresight and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 20, with a full day of dynamic programs for Angelenos of all ages. This election year, many of our MLK Day activities commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which bans racial discrimination in voting practices. In March 1965, King led marches in Selma, Alabama, to dramatize the voting issue and pressure Congress to act. Later that year, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the act with King and other civil rights leaders in attendance. It remains one of the farthest-reaching pieces of civil rights legislation in US history and one we can’t take for granted, even today.

Among our usual MLK Day offerings, including music, art, food trucks, and other merriment, community groups will be on hand to discuss civic engagement and help you register to vote. We’ll also feature a children’s voting booth as well as a panel of distinguished journalists and strategists discussing the history and efficacy of voting. Please turn to page 8 for details, and mark your calendars to observe the holiday with us.

This winter at CAAM also features a host of other engaging programs that are detailed in the following pages, from talks with acclaimed artists to panels on fashion activism and black-led tech innovations. Come see them for yourself!

4 exhibitions | 8 public programs | 13 for families | 14 visit Timothy Washington, Rest in Peace, 2017–19 (detail). Mixed-media assemblage.

Courtesy the artist; Photo: Gene Ogami

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exhibitions on view Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century Through March 1, 2020 “As is highlighted in their first-ever museum exhibition, Cross Colours was and is today so much more than just a fashion label.” Vogue, October 2, 2019

In 1990 on the hit television show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, actor Will Smith wore a series of boldly hued and geometric looks designed by a young Los Angeles–based urban apparel line named Cross Colours.

African American-owned, founded by Carl Jones and T.J. Walker, the brand skyrocketed, securing orders across the country and breaking color barriers in the field of men’s apparel. The commercial success of Cross Colours, which Jones and Walker created for black youth with the premise of producing “Clothing Without Prejudice,” had a significant influence on the mainstream fashion industry, inspiring it to take notice of the emerging importance of urban streetwear.

Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century marks the brand’s thirtieth anniversary by showcasing vintage textiles, media footage, and rare ephemera that illuminate how Cross Colours has permeated popular culture and how fashion can be used to tell history anew.

Timothy Washington: Citizen/Ship Through March 1, 2020 Los Angeles–based artist Timothy Washington has crafted a visionary display of mixed-media works in his Leimert Park residence for over fifty years. A prominent figure during the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Washington has been a pioneer of socio-politically charged work ever since, exhibiting both locally and nationally. In the late 1970s, after years of creating his celebrated drypoint drawings and carved wooden sculptures, he shifted to producing futuristic assemblage sculptures, which he continues to make today.

This exhibition presents Washington’s first installation project, Citizen/Ship (2019), a powerful yet playful collection of works that meld American patriotism with Afrofuturistic narratives of fantasy and science fiction. Through references to technology, utopia, and mysticism, Timothy Washington: Citizen/Ship speaks to both the negative and positive aspects of American culture, emphasizing issues that affect black lives: violence, racism, and displacement, but also survival, hope, love, and reconciliation.

This exhibition is curated by Mar Holingsworth, Visual Arts Curator and Program Manager.

This exhibition is curated by Tyree Boyd-Pates, History Curator and Program Manager, and Taylor Bythewood-Porter, Assistant Curator.

Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century (exhibition view).

California African American Museum, 2019; Photo: Elon Schoenholz

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exhibitions on view Dust My Broom: Southern Vernacular from the Permanent Collection Through March 15, 2020 The largest selection of works by southern vernacular artists ever displayed at CAAM, Dust My Broom: Southern Vernacular from the Permanent Collection examines the remarkable reach and legacy of arts traditions from the American South. The region’s vernacular manifests itself in assemblages, quilts, sculptures, paintings, and drawings, many executed from found or repurposed objects by largely self-taught artists.

Numerous recent acquisitions are placed alongside works connected to the California assemblage movement, including by Los Angeles artists who were born in the South. In this regard, Dust My Broom explores the affirmation, continuity, and innovation of African American southern vernacular aesthetics brought into the West through several waves of migration. Complemented by additional loans from local collections, these compelling works illustrate the breadth of approaches practiced by artists from the South, as well as by contemporary artists who absorbed southern influences through personal experience, family ties, and their peers.

This exhibition is curated by Mar Hollingsworth, Visual Arts Curator and Program Manager.

Dust My Broom: Southern Vernacular from the Permanent Collection (exhibition view).

California African American Museum, 2019; Photo: Elon Schoenholz

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LA Blacksmith Through February 16, 2020 For decades black artists in Los Angeles have worked with metal for its historic and symbolic significance, as well as for other sociocultural, political, and practical considerations. LA Blacksmith highlights this tradition, from historic Los Angeles metal sculpture that signifies the durability of West African metalsmithing aesthetics to contemporary explorations of iron and steel alloys, bronze, copper, tin, aluminum, and gold. Beginning with Beulah Woodard’s homages to African mask making, LA Blacksmith examines how the Watts Rebellion and other political and aesthetic ideas shaped midcentury metalwork. Contemporary artists explore metal as appropriation, power, and play in 21st-century Los Angeles. For these artists, metalwork layers the tension between tradition and resistance, preciousness and posture, as well as the sacred and the profane.

LA Blacksmith is guest curated by independent curator jill moniz.

Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840–1940 Through March 1, 2020 One of the most pervasive stereotypes constructed during the post-Civil War era, the mammy was a staple caricature in the romanticization of the Antebellum South. Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840–1940 explores how the figure was produced in an effort to temper the atrocities of enslavement and serve southern interests domestically, economically, and politically. Bringing together films, photographs, and artifacts, it examines the legacy of the institutionalized stereotype, considering a century of complex manufacturing of black femininity, power dynamics, and mass-media messaging that still ripples through culture today.

This exhibition is curated by Tyree Boyd-Pates, History Curator and Program Manager; Taylor Bythewood-Porter, Assistant Curator; and Brenda Stevenson, Professor and Nickoll Family Endowed Chair in History at the University of California, Los Angeles.

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10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Family Drop-in Art Activities Voting Booth Stamp your vote for your favorite historical African American icon and submit it to our children’s voting box.

Peace Medal In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent campaign against racism. Honor his ideals by designing an MLK peace medal of your own.

celebration Monday, January 20, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

MLK Day Celebration

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day immersed in art, culture, and community, and commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Enjoy an array of vibrant programs and activities for all ages. Bring your children for art workshops and food, visit our exhibitions, and hear recitations of King’s speeches about keeping the spirit of democracy alive. Free for everyone!

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

King Study Group Listen to a recording of King’s speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence,” delivered at Riverside Church in New York on April 4, 1967, and discuss his life and legacy.

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rock the Vote!

Learn how you can become more civically engaged in this important election and census year from the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles and Census 2020, and register to vote.

Martin Luther King Jr., 1964; Photo: Dick DeMarsico

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Words of Wisdom Bookmark Many of King’s wise sayings still resonate with us today. Choose an MLK quote that has deep meaning for you, and create a bookmark to treasure as you read some of the many books written by and about MLK. Pick up a list of these books when you finish your bookmark.

Chains of Kindness Come together with fellow participants to make a chain of kindness. Write a kind thought on a link and see the chain grow throughout the day in the same spirit of collaboration that MLK encouraged.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Vote or Perish: Fighting for Civil Rights in an Election Year In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. led civil rights demonstrations that brought renewed attention to the issue of voting rights. Fifty-five years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act by President Lyndon B. Johnson with King at his side, an important question remains: how vital is voting to ensure the future of our democracy? Hear from radio and television journalist Tony Cox and key political strategists about the history of voting in America and how to employ your civil rights today to sustain the momentum of the Voting Rights Act going into November’s elections.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Keynote by Lorrie Frasure-Yokley: African American Voters, Mobilization, and Empowerment Hear from Lorrie Frasure-Yokley, associate professor of political science and African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, about the history of African American voting behavior and how to empower our communities this election year and into the future.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Youth Speeches: “Give Us the Ballot” by Martin Luther King Jr. School-aged youth present excerpts of King’s 1957 speech “Give Us the Ballot,” in which he advocated voting rights for African Americans in the United States.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

ICYOLA performance The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles presents a musical tribute to MLK and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

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public programs All events are free unless otherwise noted and are subject to change. Please visit caamuseum.org for the most up-to-date information on upcoming public programs.

Friday, January 17, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Rare: Learning the Value of Black Americana Collectibles Black memorabilia is one of the most provocative and fastest-growing categories of collecting in America. History curator Tyree Boyd-Pates and Gail Deculus-Johnson, a collector and the owner of Sable Images, discuss how these controversial and uncensored depictions shaped African American experiences, as well as the value of these objects today.

RSVP to CAAM programs at 213.744.2024 or rsvp@caamuseum.org

Thursday, January 9, 2020 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

In Conversation: Melvin Edwards with jill moniz Pioneering contemporary artist Melvin Edwards joins LA Blacksmith curator jill moniz in a discussion of the artist’s work. Edwards employs metalwork and abstraction to invoke social injustice and the African American experience, as evidenced in his work My Turn to Burn— a response to the 1965 Watts Rebellion—which is currently on display at CAAM. Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 8, 2020 | 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Docent-Led Tours Every second Saturday, CAAM offers in-depth tours of selected exhibitions. Meet passionate and knowledgeable members of CAAM’s Volunteer Docent Council for spirited conversations about the exhibitions Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840–1940 in January and LA Blacksmith in February.

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Thursday, January 16, 2020 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

The Afrofuture is Here The Afrofuturist Podcast’s co-creator and host, Ahmed Best, and panelists discuss ideas, stories, and products that are shaping the future. In conjunction with the exhibition Timothy Washington: Citizen/Ship, Lonny J Avi Brooks, co-creator of The Afrofuturist Podcast and associate professor of strategic communication at California State University, East Bay, and Anthony Sparks, executive producer, writer, and showrunner of the television series Queen Sugar, explore the cultural aesthetic of Afrofuturism and the latest in black-led tech and media innovations.

Ahmed Best; Photo: Mike Quain

Sunday, January 26, 2020 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 23, 2020 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

CAAM Reads!

Calling all book lovers! Our monthly book club continues this winter with titles that complement our ongoing exhibitions. In January, in conjunction with Timothy Washington: Citizen/Ship, we will read The Water Dancer, the first novel by acclaimed essayist Ta-Nehisi Coates. As part of our programming honoring Black History Month in February, and in conjunction with the exhibition Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840–1940, we will discuss Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by leading cultural critic Roxane Gay. See the exhibitions beforehand and come ready to share your ideas.

Thursday, January 30, 2020 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Fashion Without Prejudice: Clothing Making a Change Fashion activism is the practice of using fashion as a means of affecting social change. During the 1992 LA Uprisings, Cross Colours was appreciated for its messages of unity and empowerment. Today, a new generation of designers, influencers, and advocates are embracing the power of fashion. Hear more about the current status of fashion activism from a Cross Colours representative along with Shavone Charles, founder of Magic in Her Melanin; Candace Reels, founder of Female Collective; and moderator Cameron Shaw, CAAM’s Deputy Director and Chief Curator, who bring insights into what fashion can contribute toward making everyone’s voice heard.

Thursday, February 6, 2020 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

In Conversation: jill moniz and Alison Saar Independent curator jill moniz and renowned sculptor and mixed-media artist Alison Saar discuss the exhibition LA Blacksmith and African diaspora metalwork practices in the 21st century. Saar often covers the bodies of her sculptural subjects in discarded tin ceiling tiles, telling stories about race and resilience through her work with metal.

Sunday, February 9, 2020 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Making Mammy: Stereotypes in Black Cinema Brenda Stevenson, professor and Nickoll Family Endowed Chair in History at the University of California, Los Angeles, and co-curator of Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840–1940, examines how the legacy of the mammy stereotype lives on in the public imagination through film, entertainment, and advertising, as well as how it perpetuates falsehoods about African Americans.

Photo: HRDWRKR

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public programs Friday, February 14, 2020 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Be Ours: Palentine’s Day with Danez and the Homies Join us for a night of poetry and performance celebrating the saving grace of friendship. Poet Danez Smith marks the publication of their new collection, Homie, with an unprecedented gathering of Angeleno writers and artists. Stay for a DJ set and libations at a Palentine’s after-party.

Books will be available for purchase courtesy of Eso Won Books.

for families

Presented in partnership with PEN America.

The California African American Museum welcomes children of all ages, and we present a wide range of interactive programs designed especially for families.

Saturday, February 15, 2020 | 2:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Free Black Women’s Library Book Swap and Art Workshop Join Asha Grant, director of The Free Black Women’s Library - Los Angeles, for an afternoon of literature and art in conjunction with Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840–1940. Grant leads an art workshop centered on the book Blues Legacies and Black Feminisms

by Angela Davis to explore radical feminism and reclamation of the black female body. For all ages and capabilities.

Saturday, January 4, 2020 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Fantastical Creature Workshop Some of the artists featured in Dust My Broom: Southern Vernacular from the Permanent Collection created figures from their memories and imaginations. Robert Howell’s Critter started life as a nondescript log, until the artist turned it into a spotted creature of fantasy. John Outterbridge’s First Poet, Olivia—a tribute to his mother—imagines her ironing board as the family’s pet goat. Using materials from twigs and fabric to old containers, bring your own fantastic being to life.

Sunday, February 16, 2020 | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

In Conversation: Dominique Moody and Lynell George In conjunction with Dust My Broom: Southern Vernacular from the Permanent Collection, artist Dominique Moody and journalist Lynell George discuss how the legacy of American southern art traditions reflects such themes as spirituality and community.

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Men in Fashion and Entrepreneurship Fashion is one of the many ways people of all genders express themselves, yet gender stereotypes often diminish the power and play of men’s fashion. Explore the unique experiences and contributions of fashion industry leaders T.J. Walker and Carl Jones of Cross Colours, Eric Jones of LFLS Shoes, Michael Ferrera of Michael Ferrera Custom Clothing, and Thrash of Thrash Bespoke. This deep-dive into the world of men’s fashion will cover a wide range of topics, including how the panelists have navigated their industry, the impact of social media on marketing, and more.

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Sunday, February 23, 2020 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Animate Space with Debbie Allen Dance Academy DADA Ensemble The Debbie Allen Dance Academy DADA Ensemble performs dances inspired by Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century and Hip Hop music.

Photo: HRDWRKR

Saturday, January 25, 2020 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Your Kicks: ’90s Shoe Design Workshop Run-DMC’s “My Adidas” was the first single from the group’s third album, Raising Hell. The song’s release in 1986 led to the first endorsement deal between a musical act and an athletic company, and it set the tone for the birth of Hip Hop sneaker culture. Come to CAAM with the fam’ to draw your own sneaker designs, and show everyone how you kick it!

Saturday, February 1, 2020 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

African Mask Workshop Sculptor Beulah Woodard had a lifelong interest in African culture and in 1935 was inspired to produce the sculpture Mask, on view in LA Blacksmith. Make your own small mask in soft copper. Ages 6 and up.

Photo: HRDWRKER

Saturday, February 22, 2020 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Zines Workshop with Able ARTS Work In Timothy Washington: Citizen/Ship, the artist’s wall-length collage represents people, places, and events that he’s taking on an interstellar journey. Using the art form of zines and collage, join Able ARTS Work—a nonprofit offering opportunities in the creative arts for people of all abilities—to make a statement about someone or something you feel strongly about and would like to share with worlds beyond. Ages 6 and up.

This project is made possible by generous support from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

All events are free unless otherwise noted and are subject to change. Please visit caamuseum.org for the most up-to-date information on upcoming public programs.

RSVP to CAAM programs at 213.744.2024 or rsvp@caamuseum.org 13

The mission of the California African American Museum is to research, collect, preserve, and interpret for public enrichment the history, art, and culture of African Americans, with an emphasis on California and the western United States.

visit Dust My Broom: Southern Vernacular from the Permanent Collection

Map

Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century

LA Blacksmith

Research Library

 Making Mammy

Timothy Washington: Citizen/Ship

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 Conference Room

Admission is FREE. Hours Galleries open Tuesdays–Saturdays 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Location CAAM is located in Exposition Park, which is home to a variety of museums and attractions. Parking is $12 (cash only) at 39th and Figueroa Streets.

The Metro Expo line stop Expo Park/USC is a five-minute walk through the Rose Garden to the Museum.

Stay in touch with CAAM Phone: 213.744.7432 Email: info@caamuseum.org Sign up for our monthly e-news for updates on our exhibitions and public programs: caamuseum.org Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @CAAMinLA The California African American Museum is a state-supported agency and a Smithsonian Affiliate.

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Photo: HRDWRKER

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600 State Drive Exposition Park Los Angeles, CA 90037 caam state board of directors todd hawkins, president zna portlock houston, vice president cornelious burke terri holoman rev. cecil l. murray bari a. williams executive director, george o. davis

Front cover: LA Blacksmith (exhibition view, featuring works by Kori Newkirk, Kehinde Wiley, and Adrienne DeVine). California African American Museum, 2019; Photo: Elon Schoenholz; Back cover: Photo: HRDWRKER