Amsterdam
Completed

Facing Blackness Collection: A Multimedia Exhibition on Black Identity, History, and Resistance

Explore the complex historical portrayal of Black people and their enduring fight against racism in Dutch culture.

The 'Facing Blackness Collection' offers a powerful examination of how Black individuals have been historically represented, from the colonial era through to contemporary society. This multimedia exhibition showcases unique archival materials and visual art to reveal the roots of anti-Black racism embedded in Dutch everyday life. Discover compelling stories of resistance and the assertion of self-identity against dominant narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural history and ongoing dialogues about representation.

About Facing Blackness Collection at The Black Archives in Amsterdam

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Facing Blackness Collection at The Black Archives in Amsterdam

Exhibition summary

Facing Blackness is a multimedia exhibition exploring the historical portrayal of Black people from the colonial era to the present. Utilizing unique archival materials and visual art, it examines how anti-Black racism became embedded in Dutch culture and everyday life, while also highlighting acts of resistance and self-definition by Black individuals.

Curatorial context

The 'Facing Blackness Collection' exhibition delves into the complex and often obscured history of how Black people have been depicted across different eras, from the colonial period to contemporary society. Through a curated selection of unique archival materials and powerful visual art, the exhibition seeks to illuminate the pervasive influence of anti-Black racism within the Dutch cultural archive, its manifestations in daily ideas, customs, and objects. Simultaneously, it sheds light on the enduring and persistent 'everyday resistance' against various forms of racism, showcasing how Black individuals have historically and continue to actively define their own culture and identity against dominant narratives. The collection includes various objects such as dolls, tins, and boxes that exemplify these historical portrayals and their societal impact. The exhibition aims to provide a critical understanding of the visual representation of Black people and its connection to systemic racism, while also celebrating the agency and cultural resilience of Black communities. By bringing together diverse forms of media and artifacts, 'Facing Blackness' encourages a deeper reflection on historical legacies and their ongoing relevance in contemporary discourse on race, identity, and representation.

Facing Blackness Collection key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Facing Blackness Collection at The Black Archives in Amsterdam

Venue
The Black Archives
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Mar 31, 2022 – Mar 31, 2022
Artist line / attribution
Curated by Richard Weaver and Lieke Bremer.
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