Art Trip to Examine ‘Black Male’ Exhibit

The San Fernando Valley branch of the National Council of Negro Women will sponsor a trip for young women to an art exhibition of images of African American men at the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Cultural Center.

Registration is free, but reservations are required. The trip, which is limited to young women ages 14 through 19, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Transportation, lunch and an exhibition catalogue will be provided.

“Black Male: Representations of Masculinity in Contemporary American Art” created a stir in the Los Angeles art community when it opened April 25 at the Armand Hammer museum. Some critics called the show “degrading” while others have lauded the exhibit and its purpose.

The multimedia exhibition, curated by Thelma Golden, examines the black male as an icon. Through installation pieces, photography, sculpture, film and video, the show presents various images intended to “challenge and transform the ‘negative’ stereotypes,” writes Golden in the exhibition catalogue.

Works include Gary Simmons’ installation piece, “Lineup,” which places gold-plated sneakers in a police lineup, and Robert Colescott’s painting “George Washington Carver Crossing the Delaware: Page From American History,” depicting the subject surrounded by stereotypical figures including Aunt Jemima and the Cream of Wheat man.

The women’s council organized the trip “to generate questions and curiosity” among young women of the northeast Valley, said Barbara Perkins, founding president of the organization’s Valley branch.

“We’re looking at this as exposure for these young people to a traditional, mainstream establishment, to look at art, and start to get an appreciation of art.”

In addition, Perkins said, “We’re trying to help young people comprehend the impact that media and art have on us and on the rest of the world.”

The trip is being funded by the Northeast Valley Community Action Project, a local United Way project.

For information, call (818) 364-6770.