„A Peculiar Vantage“: Panel discussion on Black Cinema
With Arthur Jafa, Christopher Jon Alexander, Larry Clark, and Dennis Dortch I Moderated by Megan Fraser
Press release
Munich, June 25th, 2019 – Filmmaker, cinematographer, visual artist: Arthur Jafa is considered one of the most important African American artists of our time. As part of the anniversary exhibition "Forever Young," the Museum Brandhorst is giving its visitors broad and direct access to artist’s work. In addition to selected photographic works, his epic film akingdoncomethas (2018, 105 minutes, color, sound) will be shown for the first time in Europe from July 1.
Munich cooperation in the field of film and art
FILMFEST MÜNCHEN (June 27 to July 6) and the Museum Brandhorst will jointly present the film program “A Peculiar Vantage: A Selection of Black Cinema“ curated by Jafa and representing various positions in Black Cinema that are not only central to the American artist and his oeuvre, but at the same time open up a view of Black film productions beyond the mainstream. This year’s program follows on the successful “Warholmania” collaboration in 2015.
On the occasion of the film program, a panel discussion will take place at the Museum Brandhorst on July 1 with Arthur Jafa and his guests. Participants include Larry Clark, one of the central protagonists of the L.A. Rebellion movement; filmmaker Dennis Dortch, co-founder of BLACK&SEXY TV; and director and film critic Christopher Jon Alexander. The conversation will be moderated (in English) by filmmaker Megan Fraser. It starts at 7 p.m., admission begins at 6.30 p.m. The museum will remain open until 11 p.m. with access to the anniversary exhibition “Forever Young“. Admission is free, the number of places is limited.
Artistic Breaking Up of Stereotypes
“We are very pleased to be able to present Arthur Jafa's oeuvre in all its breadth to our guests through the collaboration with the FILMFEST MÜNCHEN – from photographic works to his films, including a European premiere“ says Patrizia Dander, chief curator at the Museum Brandhorst. In May 2019, Arthur Jafa was awarded the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. His works in various media are regarded as groundbreaking in their depictions of the mechanisms of exclusion on the basis of cultural identity or ethnic affiliation. Sofia Glasl, program maker FILMFEST MÜNCHEN: “The film program “A Peculiar Vantage” is also a presentation of Arthur Jafa’s personal view on cinematographers of Black Cinema. Aesthetically, as well as thematically, the program acts as a link between important personas in American Black Cinema and his own work – at a time when Afro-American filmmaking is a great influence on the cinematic world stage.”
Further information on the event can also be found at museum-brandhorst.de.
About akingdomcomethas (2018)
“akingdomcomethas“ is a feature-length montage of recordings of preachers and gospel singers in their Black parish churches. The material for the film comes from various sources and decades, which Jafa has arranged into an epic cinematic collage. The recordings are a reflection of a form of Black communality that finds powerful expression in song and prayer. The film emphasizes their importance for African American culture, which has been shaped by a long history of oppression and alienation.
About the Museum Brandhorst
With over 1,200 exhibits, the Museum Brandhorst houses one of the most important museum collections of contemporary art in Europe, with numerous important artists such as Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Bruce Nauman, Cady Noland and Wolfgang Tillmans. The tenth anniversary of the museum in May 2019 is the occasion for a show of works from the collection: “Forever Young - 10 Years Museum Brandhorst“ spans an arc from the early 1960s to current art production. In addition to well-known and popular highlights, numerous new acquisitions can be seen that have been included in the Brandhorst Collection since its opening in 2009 and are now being presented for the first time in the museum.
![Film-Still, Arthur Jaffa, „akingdoncomethas' (2018)'A Perculiar Vantage': Panel discussion on Black Cinema Film-Still, Arthur Jaffa, „akingdoncomethas' (2018)'A Perculiar Vantage': Panel discussion on Black Cinema](https://www.museum-brandhorst.de/imgs/gkj_nLhg.jpeg-1280x720.jpg?x83406)
Arthur Jafa, Still aus akingdoncomethas (2018)
![Arthur Jafa, Porträt'A Perculiar Vantage': Panel discussion on Black Cinema Arthur Jafa, Porträt'A Perculiar Vantage': Panel discussion on Black Cinema im Museum Brandhorst](https://www.museum-brandhorst.de/imgs/ArthurJafa2-1280x1920.jpg?x83406)
Arthur Jafa
Foto: Robert Hamacher, Aj Portrait photographer
![Patrizia Dander, Museum Brandhorst Patrizia Dander, Leitende Kuratorin Museum Brandhorst'A Perculiar Vantage': Panel discussion on Black Cinema](https://www.museum-brandhorst.de/imgs/PatriziaDander-1280x1920.jpg?x83406)
Patrizia Dander, leitende Kuratorin am Museum Brandhorst
Foto: Frank Stolle