Guests will be able to explore the history, present and future of African Americans in front of, and behind, the camera, while learning about the challenges and rewards of working in this highly visible field. The exhibit will open as part of the Museum’s annual Black Creativity celebration—a six-week program that highlights the achievements and heritage of African Americans.
Guests will enter the exhibit through a movie theater marquee and receive the “red carpet” treatment as they are introduced to some of the some of the African-American greats of the big and small screen through clips, vintage posters and displays. They will trace the history of African Americans in film and television, going as far back as the silent-film era of the early 1920s and Oscar Micheaux, the first African American to produce and direct a film.
Then, as guests journey through the exhibit, various fun and interactive stations will allow them to experience the creativity, science and “magic” that go into creating television programs or feature films. Guests can try their hand at:
• creating a movie script and corresponding storyboard, and then generating their own short animation via computer;
• watching man develop into monster using the “magic” of makeup;
• crafting their own soundtrack on a Foley soundstage, using their ingenuity and various tools;
• exploring an authentic set from the movie Soul Food; and
• appearing on the Museum’s own talk show, “taped” every day.
Interspersed within these fun and eye-opening activities will be biographies and clips of African Americans in the film and television industry—including George Tillman, writer and director of the film Soul Food; Floyd Norman, an animator whose long career includes his work on Disney’s The Jungle Book as well as Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.; and Julie Dash, director of the critically acclaimed Daughters of the Dust.”
The Museum’s annual Black Creativity celebration highlights the contributions of African Americans and encourages deeper interest in science and technology as well as black culture and heritage. The Magic and Science and Cinema and Television will run through March 2, 2008, and be supported with programming that includes a juried art exhibition (open for the duration of the exhibit), a symposium, a family day event on Feb 2, and cultural performances and educational workshops. The exhibit and most of the programming is included in the Museum’s general admission. In addition, general admission is free from Jan. 16-31, 2008—so guest can enjoy all of the fun activities and educational offerings of the Black Creativity exhibit and program for free on these days!
Chicago-area students will also participate in a career bowl that will introduce them to a breadth of employment opportunities and career paths, while earning them cash prizes for their schools. In addition, the annual Black Creativity black-tie gala, held January 26, will raise money to support the programming. Black Creativity program’s principal sponsor is Chicago Community Trust with co-sponsor Citibank and partner Motorola. NBC5 and Clear Channel are media partners.
The Black Creativity program, which began in 1971, presents exhibits and related programming that recognize African-American achievements. Over the years, the Museum, working in conjunction with an advisory and gala committee of black community leaders, has presented exhibits exploring agriculture, medicine, film, aviation, music, architecture and other topics from the perspective of African Americans. -- www.msichicago.org
