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500 Years of African ArtFive centuries of African Art-representing every quarter of the vast, sub-Saharan reaches of the continent-are now on view in "Treasures," a landmark exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art on Washington's National Mall.
Actually, the African Art museum - along with the Freer Gallery of Asian Art and the Smithsonian's S. Dillon Ripley Center - is located under the Mall in subterranean spaces adjoining the Institution's famous "Castle."
Exploring its unfolding, descending spaces is very much like exploring a treasure cave, and aptly so in this case.
"Treasures" celebrates the museum's 25th year as part of the Smithsonian, and 53 of the 75 works in the show were drawn from some of the most prized private collections of African art in the United States.
Dating back to the 15th Century, the masks and statuary in the exhibition have a two - fold appeal - their beauty as works of art and their symbolism of the essential elements of life (and death) central to African culture.
These works were exhibited by the likes of New York arts impresario Alfred Stieglitz in the early 20th Century, and they served as an inspiration and foundation for much of the Modernist movement as it flourished in this country and abroad.
The show closes Aug. 15. Location is 9th Street and Independence Avenu
Source:
www.nmafa.si... (380)
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