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.
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). Part I, which traces the historical path of black performance in the second half of the 20th century, is on view through Dec. 7, at NUY’s Grey Art Gallery (100 Washington Square East (btw. Waverly & Washington Places). 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.). For gallery hours and more info, visit nyu.edu/greyart, radicalpresenceny.org and studiomuseum.org.
— Stephanie Buhmann
