BmoreArt

REVEALING THE AFRICAN PRESENCE IN RENAISSANCE EUROPE – AN INTRODUCTION Sunday, October 14, 2012 2 pm – 3 pm FREE Spend your afternoon exploring the groundbreaking exhibition, Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe, with exhibition curator, Dr. Joaneath Spicer. An eye opening discussion will examine the little-known, but remarkable range of roles filled by peoples of African ancestry within Renaissance Europe. These roles include everything from farmers and slaves, to monks and aristocrats. European perceptions of Africans based on assumptions about the African continent, and the place of slavery in society will also be explored. This enlightening afternoon will conclude with thoughts on why these historical assumptions and representations still matter in our world today. Light refreshments will follow the talk. About the Speaker Dr. Joaneath Spicer, the James A. Murnaghan Curator of Renaissance and Baroque Art for the Walters Art Museum, and curator of the exhibition Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe, has been with the museum since 1990. Dr. Spicer received her BA from Smith College and PhD from Yale University (1979). Through her latest exhibition, Dr. Spicer explores the relevance of European political and cultural history today and the integral role of peoples of African ancestry in the society of Renaissance Europe. BUY EXHIBITION TICKETS ONLINE » REVEALING THE AFRICAN PRESENCE FORUM Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, 12-4 p.m., FREE The ongoing impact of the European heritage on American society is profound, but many today feel alienated from that history. Scholars will explore topics tied to the special exhibition Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe. Panelists include curator Dr. Joaneath Spicer, Princeton University professor Dr. Anthony Appiah, University of London professor Dr. Kate Lowe, and Johns Hopkins University professor Dr. Ben Vinson. Author and journalist Farai Chideya will moderate. BUY EXHIBITION TICKETS ONLINE > LECTURE 1: REVEALING THEMES AND INTENTIONS 12-12:45 p.m. Curator of Renaissance and Baroque Art, Dr. Joaneath Spicer will guide the audience on an exploration of the major themes and intentions of the special exhibition, Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe. Gain insight into the thought process behind this groundbreaking exhibition about cultural history, identity and how the past continues to shape the world today. LECTURE 2: BLACK AFRICANS IN THE RENAISSANCE 1-1:45 p.m. Although almost entirely forgotten, the thousands of black Africans enslaved and taken to Renaissance Europe have left traces in their countries of enforced diaspora at a notable variety of sites. Dr. Kate Lowe, Professor of Renaissance History and Culture at Queen Mary, University of London, will examine how these traces of information can be disseminated, and what that means for future generations. LECTURE 3: REPRESENTATIONS OF BLACKNESS 2-2:45 p.m. The European Renaissance was not the only area or period of time in history where the representation of the black African can be called into question. Dr. Ben Vinson III, Vice Dean of Centers, Interdisciplinary Programs for Johns Hopkins University, will use casta paintings to elaborate on the representations of blackness in colonial Hispanic culture. LECTURE 4: CULTURE AND IDENTITY 3-3:45 p.m. Does the individual makes up the whole, or does the whole make up the individual? Dr. K. Anthony Appiah will breakdown how world citizenship, national citizenship and establishing one’s’ identity blend together to benefit each other.