|
Opening Reception and Music of West Africa Thursday February 4 |
Press/Member Preview: 5-6pm
Public Reception: 6-8pm
Curatorial Tour with Curator Cynthia LeCount Samaké: 7pm
|
Folksy Family Days Saturday, February 6 1-4pm |
Join us for an exciting day starting with a guided tour at 1pm of the Museum's exhibition, followed by a short walk to the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) for some hands-on fun, West African style—indigo dyeing and bogolanfini (mudcloth) making. Reserve your space by calling 415 227 4888 x 10.
|
Folksy Family Days Saturday, March 6 1pm |
Award-winning children's book author, illustrator, and storyteller from Mali, Baba Wague Diakite, joins us for storytelling and book signing. Reserve your space by calling 415 227 4888 x 10.
|
Folksy Family Days Saturday, May 1 1-4pm |
Join us for an exciting day starting with a guided tour of the exhibition, followed by a short walk to MoAD for some hands-on fun, West African style—indigo dyeing and bogolonfini (mudcloth) making. Malian Barou Samaké joins us May 1. Reserve your space by calling 415 227 4888 x 10.
Docent Tours*
1pm: First Tuesday of every month; 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month
All events marked * are free with Museum admission.
For more information about these events, please call the Museum at (415) 227-4888.
Pictured on homepage:
Photo by Cynthia LeCount Samaké.
Textiles by Mamadou Koné.
Rhythm and Hues:
Cloth and Culture of Mali
February 5, 2010—May 2, 2010
Mali's extraordinary legacy of textile arts, with its vibrant colors and complex graphic statements will be presented at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco from February 5-May 2, 2010.
Rhythm and Hues: Cloth and Culture of Mali gives long overdue recognition to contemporary Malian fabric artisans and highlights the enduring significance of textiles as a major form of aesthetic in Mali. Featuring works beyond the mudcloth tradition, this exhibition seeks to showcase contemporary styles and techniques which have yet to be shown in the US.
With superb examples of dress, and accompanying photographs, Rhythm and Hues: Cloth and Culture of Mali will document hand-dyed as well as factory-printed cloth. Social issues such as empowerment of women, the status of dress, women’s identity, and current trends in fabric design will be explored.
Due to the expository role of cloth in daily life, both hand-dyed and factory printed kinds of popular fabrics reveal current and constantly evolving cultural trends. The pictorial nature of the prints allows the wearer to express unique and equally critical messages, such as political attitudes, educational institutions and affiliations, or social views, and public health concerns. Although the shapes of the garments remain fairly constant, the colors, patterns, designs and messages of the cloth are constantly transforming.
In addition to the cloth and clothing, Rhythm and Hues: Cloth and Culture of Mali showcases other forms of traditional art and craft from Mali, such as wooden puppets, and the life-sized masked and costumed figures called “marionettes” which act out village legends. Unusual calabashes and baskets are also included to show the wide variety of Malian craft and folk art.
The Museum of Craft and Folk Art is generously supported by the Compton Foundation, Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, The Kimball Foundation, Gertrud and Harold Parker, The San Francisco Foundation, The Sato Foundation, Museum members, and friends. March 6th Family Day made possible by the support of Ingeborg Nelson.