Beyond Borders: Global Africa

August 11 - November 25, 2018

More than ever in the era of globalization, ideas traverse geographic, generational, and cultural boundaries, even as national borders seem to be closing. Beyond Borders: Global Africa reflects on this moment by considering how Africa and its artists have been at the center of complex histories of encounter and exchange for centuries. Bringing together a dazzling array of works made in Africa, Europe, and the United States from the nineteenth to twenty-first century, the exhibition demonstrates the international scope and reach of art from Africa and the African diaspora. It also explores issues such as slavery, colonization, migration, racism, and identity at play in the objects and their histories. Highlights include paintings, photographs, sculpture, and installations by Kudzanai Chiurai, Omar Victor Diop, Wangechi Mutu, and Serge Alain Nitegeka. The exhibition is accompanied by a fully-illustrated publication, the tenth in the UMMA Books series.

Lead support for Beyond Borders: Global Africa is provided by the University of Michigan Office of the Provost, Michigan Medicine, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the University of Michigan Office of Research, African Studies Center, and Department of Afroamerican and African Studies.  Additional generous support is provided by the University of Michigan CEW+ Frances and Sydney Lewis Visiting Leaders Fund and Susan Ullrich. 

Images

Omar Victor Diop, Jean-Baptiste Belley (1746-1805), 2014, pigment inkjet print on Harman by Hahnemühle paper. Courtesy of Mott-Warsh collection, Flint, Michigan and MAGNIN-A Gallery, Paris, © Omar Victor Diop
 

Timeline

Exhibition Timeline

SatAug 11
Exhibition Opens
Sun
Aug 12
In Conversation: Borders in the Age of Globalization
3pm4pm
Artists and Curators / Exhibitions Related / Gallery Talks and Tours
Sun
Aug 26
Beyond Borders: Global Africa
2pm3pm
Gallery Talks and Tours
Thu
Sep 13
JIT Exchange
7pm8pm
Exhibitions Related / Performing Arts / Student Events
Sun
Sep 16
Beyond Borders: Global Africa
2pm3pm
Gallery Talks and Tours
Sat
Sep 29
Tunde Olaniran
8pm9pm
Exhibitions Related / Performing Arts / Student Events
Sun
Sep 30
In Conversation: The Limitations of Labels: Beyond Borders and Categories
3pm4pm
Artists and Curators / Exhibitions Related / Gallery Talks and Tours
Sun
Oct 14
Beyond Borders: Global Africa
2pm3pm
Gallery Talks and Tours
Sat
Oct 20
Family Art Studio: Global Africa
11am1pm
Artmaking / Exhibitions Related / Family
Sat
Oct 20
Family Art Studio: Global Africa
2pm4pm
Artmaking / Exhibitions Related / Family
Fri
Oct 26
African Art in Museums: Ethical Quandaries
6pm8pm
Artists and Curators / Exhibitions Related
Sun
Nov 4
In Conversation: 'African' Art in the Age of Globalization: Cosmopolitanism and Cultural Hybridity
3pm4pm
Artists and Curators / Exhibitions Related / Gallery Talks and Tours
Sat
Nov 10
Family Art Studio: Global Africa
11am1pm
Artmaking / Exhibitions Related / Family
Tue
Nov 13
Value the Voice: Beyond Borders
7pm8:30pm
Exhibitions Related / Student Events
Fri
Nov 16
Our Global Africa: a night of food, music, and performances
7pm9:15pm
Exhibitions Related / Special Events / Student Events
Sun
Nov 25
Beyond Borders: Global Africa: A Conversation with University of Michigan Students
12:30pm1:30pm
Exhibitions Related / Gallery Talks and Tours / Student Events
Sun
Nov 25
Beyond Borders: Global Africa
2pm3pm
Gallery Talks and Tours
SunNov 25
Exhibition Closes
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