The (Im)possibilities of Representing Arts, Cultures, and Histories
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If you enjoy going to museums, if you have an interest in art, or if you have an interest in cultural anthropology, this FIG is for you. In conjunction with his traveling exhibition -- Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas -- that will open at the Chazen Museum of Art in October 2008, Professor Drewal will teach a FIG seminar entitled: Exhibiting Art, Culture, and History. Students enrolled in this FIG will explore the (im)possibilities of representing African/Diaspora arts, cultures, and histories in a museum context. Using the Mami Wata exhibit and its programs, students will be asked to consider different approaches to museum exhibitions (art-historical, anthropological, historical). They will also be involved with the public programming that accompanies the exhibition (regattas, symposium, scholars’ talks, artists’ workshops, films, music and dance performances, etc.). The seminar has a mentoring dimension -- graduate students will work closely with FIG students. The seminar is linked with two other courses: Anthropology 104 -- "Introduction to Cultural Anthropology," where students gain a broader understanding of the roles that art plays in cultures, exploring issues of religion, language, politics, and social organization; and African Studies 277, "Africa: An Introductory Survey" in which students focus on African society and culture, from prehistory to contemporary developments. These perspectives will provide a strong foundation for understanding the Mami Wata exhibit.

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