Apollo Theater Exterior, 2008. Photo courtesy of the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Shahar Azran.The Supremes at the Apollo Theater. Photo courtesy of The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Kwame Brathwaite.
"Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" on view through March 4 @ the Atlanta History Center. atlantahistorycenter.com.
The Apollo was one of the first theaters in New York – and the country – to fully integrate, welcoming traditionally African American, Hispanic and local immigrant populations in the audience, as well as headlining uniquely talented entertainers who found it difficult to gain entrance to other venues of similar size and resources. This exhibition examines the rich history and cultural significance of the legendary Harlem theater, tracing the story from its origins as a segregated burlesque hall to its starring role at the epicenter of African American entertainment and American popular culture.
Since 1934, the Apollo has been a driving force in shaping America’s musical and cultural landscape while nurturing generations of artists and providing a source of entertainment and inspiration to millions of people throughout its 75 years. The exhibition features historic and contemporary costumes, playbills, music scores, graphic images and recorded music to document Apollo’s history, including memorable performances by the emerging artists and living legends who graced its stage. Among the one-of-a-kind and rarely displayed artifacts on view are James Brown’s cape and jumpsuit, Michael Jackson’s fedora, The Supremes’ dresses; Cab Calloway’s baton; Sammy Davis’ childhood tap shoes; Duke Ellington’s score for Black and Tan Fantasy (1927); Ella Fitzgerald’s dress; Miles Davis’ flugelhorn; LL Cool J’s jacket and hat; and Celia Cruz’s dress
Louis Armstrong’s Selmer Trumpet, Paris, c. 1930. NMAAHC Collection. Photo Courtesy Christie’s. Michael Jackson’s Stage Worn Fedora, 1984. Michael Jackson Victory Tour black fedora. NMAAHC Collection. James Brown was a regular at the Apollo, even after he reached superstar status. Photo courtesy of The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Kwame Brathwaite.
Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), “Girl Before A Mirror,” 1932, oil on canvas, 64 x 51 1/4.” The Museum of Moern Art. Gift of Mrs. Simon Guggenheim. © 2010 Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society, New York. Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987), “Self-Portrait,” 1966, silkscreen ink on synthetic polymer paint on nine cavases, 67 5/8 X 67 5/8.” Gift of Philip Johnson. © 2010 Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts/Artists Rights Society, New York.
"Picasso to Warhol" on view through April 29 @ High Museum of Art. high.org.
This exhibition will present approximately 100 works of art created by 14 of the most iconic artists from the 20th century: Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Constantin Brancusi, Piet Mondrian, Fernand Léger, Marcel Duchamp, Giorgio De Chirico, Joan Miró, Romare Bearden, Alexander Calder, Jackson Pollock, Louise Bourgeois, Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol. Assembled exclusively for the High from the collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, it will be one of the largest concentrations of modern art masterpieces to ever be exhibited in the southeastern United States.
The achievements of these pioneers of modern art will be presented in depth, exploring each artist’s stylistic development and highlighting their role in the most important artistic developments of the twentieth century, including the invention of Cubism, the emergence of abstraction and the development of Surrealism. Highlights of the exhibition include: Henri Matisse’s Dance (I), 1909; Pablo Picasso’s Girl Before a Mirror, 1932, and Night Fishing at Antibes, 1939; Jasper Johns’s Map, 1961; Andy Warhol’s Self-Portrait, 1966; Constantin Brancusi’s Bird in Space, 1928; and Jackson Pollock’s, Number 1A, 1948.
Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954), “Dance (I),” 1909, oil on canvas, 8’ 6 1/2” x 12’ 9 1/2.” The Museum of Modern Art. Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller in honor of Alfred H. Barr, Jr. © 2011 Succession H. Matisse, Paris/Artists Rights Society, New York. Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), “Portrait of a Man,” New York, CA. 1929, brass wire, 12 7/8 X 8 3/4 X 13 1/2.” The Museum of Modern Art. Gift of the Artist. © 2011 Calder Foundation, New York/Artists Rights Society, New York.
