Puppetry and Performance in Africa
Friday April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
A unique African art exhibition featuring puppets, masks and masquerades
Opening Reception:
- Friday, April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 PM,
LRC Library Atrium - Refreshments, African Masquerade Performance, Silent Auction, Videos, Illustrated Discussion by Curator
Barbara W. Blackmun
The San Diego Mesa College Glass Gallery is proud to present a unique African art exhibition that features unusual puppets, masks and masquerades. The exhibition will be on display in the Library Atrium of the Mesa College Learning Resource Center from Friday April 4 to November 30, 2008.
The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Friday, April 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The reception will open with a live masquerade featuring two traditional characters from Guinea performed by the Bomani Drum and Dance Group. The reception will also feature a silent auction, refreshments, a video presentation, and an illustrated discussion led by the Mesa College Professor and Exhibit Curator Barbara W. Blackmun.
According to curator Barbara Blackmun, the display of varied theatrical artworks offers samples of African arts that are rarely exhibited or seen in performance outside of Africa, and demonstrates varieties of African creativity. Imagine the mouths of Ogoni talking heads opening and closing as they speak, large constructions of comic animals animated by hidden performers, and fantastic creatures that float across dark lagoons. During civic street parades in Bamako, brightly-costumed puppets similar to those on display interact in skits and wave to the public from decorated floats, accompanied by singing crowds of young adults.
On a smaller scale, silent figures point their fingers during private sessions of clairvoyant divination, and circles of listeners gather around storytellers who illustrate their tales with tiny puppets on strings. Larger puppets are manipulated from behind public platforms, entertaining, shocking, and amusing spectators.
San Diego Mesa College Glass Gallery exhibitions are supported entirely by the generosity of private donors, and are installed with the aid of student volunteers.
Gallery and Exhibit Information
April 4 – Nov 30, 2008
- Exhibition viewing hours: Regular LRC hours
- 7:00 am – 10:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
- 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Friday)
- 8:00 am – 3:30 pm (Saturday)
- Closed Sundays
Parking is free on reception night. Due to construction on campus at the Mesa College Drive entrance, please use the Genesee-Marlesta-Chasewood entrance. On April 4, you may park anywhere in the lower lots as well as in the upper parking areas near the flagpole.
To reach the upper parking areas from the Marlesta and Chasewood entrance, turn right at the end of Chasewood, and drive uphill. After the road bends to the left, you will see faculty parking lots on both sides of the road. You may park in either one.
The wide stairway entrance behind the flagpole leads into the central campus. You will see the LRC directly in front of you, which is the largest building on the horizon. (It is to the right of the Mesa College Art Gallery entry).
During regular college hours, use the visitors’ metered spaces across the street from this flagpole entrance. For additional information, call 619-388-2498 or 619-461-5930.