eMERGING: Visual Art and Music in a Post Hip-Hop Era

Online technology has done more for decentralizing and amplifying communication than any other medium in modern history.

This new largesse of expression has, in a way, blurred the lines between what is fact and what is fantasy; what is meaningful dialogue, versus idle chatter-- the filter being only one's own interpretation.

In the exhibit eMERGING: Visual Art & Music in a Post-Hip-Hop Era, a collective of modern artists of music, canvas, and pen explores the idea that the traditional mediums we use to communicate across distinct sensory platforms slowly is evolving into one shared language. 

The exhibit is a multi-media experiment that places visual art and music side-by-side, instigating an exploration and conversation into the social and cultural issues relevant to people of the African Diaspora.

And beginning Thursday, February 14, through Sunday, May 26, 2013, eMERGING will be on display at the Museum of Contemporary and Diasporic Art.

“It’s about connection and conversations, both direct and indirect, that can only take place in today’s atmosphere of global connectivity, collaboration and cultural mash-ups,” said James Bartlett, executive director at MoCADA and the exhibit's curator.

“I wanted this exhibition to be a first step in identifying this unique moment in Black art."

eMERGING features the works of visual artists and directors Kajahl Benes, Kudzanai Chiurai, Delphine Diallo, Modou Dieng, Hassan Hajjaj, dream hampton, Pieter Hugo, Hycide, Kahlil Joseph, Kambui Olajimi, Ebony G. Patterson, Storyboard P and Hank Willis Thomas.

Accompanying the art is music by Blitz the Ambassador, Flying Lotus, Just A Band, Seu Jorge, Spoek Mathambo,THEESatisfaction and others.

Also, the museum will hold a series of public programs, including concerts, film screenings, kids workshops, and more throughout the duration of the exhibit to highlight the diverse voices of the Diaspora and the interconnected nature of contemporary Black dance, film, literature and culinary art.

The opening reception for eMERGING is on Thursday, February 14, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at MoCADA, located at 80 Hanson Place, between So. Portland and So. Elliot in Fort Greene.

For a schedule of events, visit MoCADA's website.