The Short Century: Independence and Liberation Movements in Africa 1945-1994
September 8 – December 30, 2001
The Short Century, curated by Okwui Enwezor (the Artistic Director for the upcoming Documenta) for the Villa Stuck in Munich, will make its United States debut at the MCA. The first major survey to consider this dynamic and politically charged era in African art and history since independence 1945-1994, The Short Century will include the works by over forty artists from fourteen African nations. The breadth of work ranges from sculpture, photography, and painting to prints, drawings, film, and video. Artists include Yinka Shonibare, Kendell Geers, Jane Alexander, Georges Adeagbo, Kay Hassan, and Bodys Isek Kingelez, among others. In conjunction with this multidisciplinary exhibition a 400-page illustrated catalogue will be published and an extensive film program will be presented at the MCA.
Funding
The Short Century: Independence and Liberation Movements in Africa, 1945-1994. An exhibition organized by the Museum Villa Stuck, Munich. Curator: Okwui Enwezor.
Support for the Chicago presentation has been generously provided by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Donna and Howard Stone, The Kovler Family Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust, Ariel Mutual Funds, Abbott Laboratories Fund, Kenneth C. Griffin, Lynn and Allen Turner, and Robert and Sylvie Fitzpatrick.
The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust is the generous sponsor of education programs for this exhibition.
This program has been made possible in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.
Media support is provided by WVAZ FM, WGCI FM, and WGCI AM.
The MCA presentation is coordinated by Manilow Senior Curator Francesco Bonami.