The Pulse of Africa: Celebrating 25 Years of the African Festival of the Arts
August 15 - October 19, 2014
SAMUEL AKAINYAH, Ancestral Masks II (detail), 2005
Co-presented by Logan Center Exhibitions and the Africa International House USA, Inc.
Exhibition
Friday, August 15–Sunday, October 19, 2014
Opening Reception
Friday, August 15, 2014, 6–8 pm
In this exhibition, Logan Center Exhibitions and the festival’s organizers, Africa International House, take a look back at the artworks that have served as the festival’s images. Featuring festival posters and a selection of the original artworks that inspired them, you’ll see the work of artists including Dana Easter, Melvin King, Dayo Laoye, Samella Lewis, Najjar, and Woodrow Nash.
This Labor Day weekend marks the 25th anniversary of the African Festival of the Arts, an annual event that celebrates the dynamic and diverse arts of Africa and the African diaspora in the City of Chicago. The Chicago-based, Ghanaian-born artist Samuel Akainyah, examining the ways in which art serves as an expression of black culture, declared: “The pulse of Africa still beats in spite of its dispersion.” The pulse that Akainyah identifies is anything but uniform — it is always changing, multiple, provocative, and vital. An enduring beat experienced and shared through the arts, Africa has strong connections in Chicago, which are fostered by the work of the Africa International House and its partners in creating the annual festival.
Co-curated by Leslie Wilson, Graduate Student in Art History at the University of Chicago and Marcus Warren, artist and Logan Center Shop Coordinator and Exhibitions Preparator, the work will be displayed in the Logan Center’s Second Floor and Café and can be viewed during the Logan Center’s open hours.
On Friday, August 15, 2014 from 6 to 8 pm in Café Logan, the public is invited to an opening reception and exhibition viewing. An artist panel discussion will take place in October at a date to be announced.
Concurrent Exhibition
We invite you to visit the The Pulse of Africa II: Documenting 25 Years of the African Festival of the Arts at AIH Center for Contemporary African Art & Culture, Harris Park Building, 6200 South Drexel Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637 (Hours: Noon–5 pm Monday–Friday and Saturday by appointment; closed Labor Day weekend)
Concurrent Festival
25th African Festival of the Arts Chicago 2014 will take place in Washington Park during Labor Day weekend, August 29–September 1, 2014. For more information on the photo exhibition and 2014 African Festival of the Arts, visit AIHUSA.org or call 773-702-ARTS(2787).
About Africa International House USA, Inc. (AIH)
Africa International House USA, Inc, is a not for profit organization dedicated to educating all people about the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. Its flagship annual event, the African Festival of the Arts, is a four-day celebration of the art, culture, heritage, and global contributions of African descended people held in Chicago’s historic Washington Park during the end of summer, Labor Day weekend (August 29–September 1, 2014). For more information visit www.AfricanFestivalChicago.com or call 773-702-ARTS (2787)
