A ‘Radical Presence’ to be Reckoned With

Lorraine O’Grady: Untitled (Mlle. Bourgeoise Noire and her Master of Ceremonies enter the New Museum). 1980-83, printed 2009. Gelatin silver print. 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. IMAGE COURTESY THE ARTIST AND ALEXANDER GRAY ASSOCIATES, NY — Lorraine O’Grady: Untitled (Mlle. Bourgeoise Noire and her Master of Ceremonies enter the New Museum). 1980-83, printed 2009. Gelatin silver print. 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.
IMAGE COURTESY THE ARTIST AND ALEXANDER GRAY ASSOCIATES, NY

Group show chronicles five decades of black performance art

Satch Hoyt: “Say It Loud” (2004, books, metal staircase, microphone, speakers and sound. Dimensions: variable). PHOTO BY PETER GABRIEL, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST — Satch Hoyt: “Say It Loud” (2004, books, metal staircase, microphone, speakers and sound. Dimensions: variable).
PHOTO BY PETER GABRIEL, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST

BY STEPHANIE BUHMANN | This group show chronicles the emergence and development of black performance art over three generations. To fully shed light on the rich and complex history of this subject, it surveys the scene from the 1960s to the present. Benjamin Patterson, David Hammons, Senga Nengudi and Coco Fusco are among the artists featured. In addition, a series of performances by participating artists accompanies the exhibition (some of them co-organized with Performa 13, New York’s Nov. 1-24 performance art biennial).

RADICAL PRESENCE: BLACK PERFORMANCE IN CONTEMPORARY ART
Through December 7
At NYU’s Grey Art Gallery
100 Washington Square East (btw. Waverly & Washington Places)
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11am-6pm
Wednesday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm
Call 212-998-6780 or visit nyu.edu/greyart
Also visit radicalpresenceny.org and studiomuseum.org

Part I of “Radical Presence,” which traces the historical path of black performance in the second half of the 20th century, is on view through Dec. 7 (at Grey Art Gallery). Part II, which includes an array of videos and performance-based photography and documentation, takes place Nov. 14-March 9, 2014 (at The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W. 125th St.).