Dynamic Dimensions: Layered Meanings in African Art

Dynamic Dimensions: Layered Meanings in African Art An exhibition, curated by Mason Art History students, of African artifacts and artworks from the George Mason University permeant collection.

04/05/2019

The exhibit catalog came together beautifully! Everyone in class contributed, but the catalog team really pulled it all together and made it something special.

Check it out in our photo album!

Layered Meanings in African Art
04/05/2019

Layered Meanings in African Art

04/05/2019

Student curator doing the tedious work of applying wall text decals...you have to be slow and careful

Many hands make light work...
04/05/2019

Many hands make light work...

One of our student curators is clearly enjoying herself and the project!
04/05/2019

One of our student curators is clearly enjoying herself and the project!

Working on placement of the photos on the walls. Wish we could have displayed the actual objects; they are extraordinary...
04/05/2019

Working on placement of the photos on the walls. Wish we could have displayed the actual objects; they are extraordinary!

Attempting to figure out how to apply display text graphic decals to the wall. It’s a bit tricky.
04/05/2019

Attempting to figure out how to apply display text graphic decals to the wall. It’s a bit tricky.

Not all preparation is fun...like dusting the inside of display cases.
04/05/2019

Not all preparation is fun...like dusting the inside of display cases.

Exhibition installation day! We don't quite know where to begin.
04/05/2019

Exhibition installation day! We don't quite know where to begin.

Wood chiwara headdress from Bamana, Mali, West AfricaThe Chiwara headdress is an important element of ceremonial agricul...
04/05/2019

Wood chiwara headdress from Bamana, Mali, West Africa

The Chiwara headdress is an important element of ceremonial agricultural dances performed by the Bambara. The headdress represents the divine half-human, half-antelope being Chiwara who came to Earth to teach the Bambara agriculture. Referencing the divine Chiwara’s form, the headdress is carved in an elegant antelope motif. Chiwara are created in male-female pairs—this chiwara is female, and the baby on its back represents humankind. The chiwara performance is an energetic, communal event accompanied by drums, singing, and dancing. The men who dance the chiwara performance are among the most skilled farmers, chosen from the agricultural fraternity which instructs young men in farming techniques. The performance serves both to reenact the story of Chiwara and to celebrate the farmers who are the backbone of Bambara society.

Address

Goerge Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Buchanan Hall Atrium Gallery
Fairfax, VA
22030

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 10pm
Tuesday 7am - 10pm
Wednesday 7am - 10pm
Thursday 7am - 10pm
Friday 7am - 10pm
Saturday 7am - 10pm
Sunday 7am - 10pm

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(703) 473-2981

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You have a lot of patience to do this!
You have a lot of patience to do this!

Student curator doing the tedious work of applying wall text decals...you have to be slow and careful

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Dynamic Dimensions: Layered Meaning in African Art

On view April 1- April 29, 2019, in the Buchanan Atrium Gallery

“Dynamic Dimensions: Layered Meaning in African Art” is an exhibition, curated by Mason Art History students, of African artifacts and artworks from the George Mason University permanent collection. Led by Dr. LaNitra Berger, students participating in ARTH495/599 Objects and Archives in Art History: Curating an Exhibit, spent two months using the Fine Arts Gallery as a laboratory in which to discover the essentials of researching and curating an exhibition.

This project culminated in an intellectual exploration focused on the roles, functions, and meanings of pieces in the Mason African artifacts/artworks collection and furthered greatly needed scholarly research. Students learned about provenance, original functionality, and the formal features of African art, in addition to valuable technical skills needed to put together an art exhibition. These skills ranged from research, to the writing techniques needed to produce wall labels, and how to solve issues of properly hanging objects and images in a gallery space.

The exhibition, installed in the Atrium Gallery of Buchanan Hall, will run from April 1 – April 29, 2019. Learn more about the exhibit on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Dynamic-Dimensions-Layered-Meaning-in-African-Art-403224373588514/, or call Naomi Arlund, student curator, at 703/993-8756 for more information