The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will present a thought-provoking exhibition titled Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures. Beginning March 24, 2023, the NMAAHC exhibit will explore Afrofuturist expression through art, music, activism, and more.
The exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s moving and historic engagement with African-American history and popular culture. Through the voices of authors, artists, academics, and creatives, the curatorship spans a spectrum from the enslaved to the cosmos. The NMAAHC will examine Afrofuturism through popular science fiction stories of inspiring black astronauts and the musical influence of Sun Ra, OutKast, P-Funk and more.
The 4,300 square meters. ft. The temporary exhibit will give visitors a view of a variety of objects from the pioneers of Afrofuturism. Items include Octavia Butler’s typewriter, Nichelle Nichols’ Star Trek uniform as the character Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, and Nona Hendryx’s spacesuit-inspired outfit worn while she performed with LaBelle.
Exhibition Highlights
The highlight of the exhibit is the Black Panther hero costume worn by the late Chadwick Boseman. Black Panther is the first superhero of African descent to appear in mainstream American comics. The film itself is the first major motion picture production based on the character.
The exhibition also uses selected objects to highlight stories that speak to black liberation and social equality, such as Experience Aviation’s Trayvon Martin’s flight suit and his childhood dream of being an astronaut.
“Trayvon Martin’s Flight Suit tells the story of a dream of space flight that was tragically ended by violence on Earth,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “We are honored to tell more of Trayvon’s story, exploring her love of flight and mechanics and her fondness for science and technology. Afrofuturism traces the joy of a rich and imagined future, often in the face of injustice.
Since its opening in 2016, NMAAHC has supported conversations, collections, and initiatives related to Afrofuturism. “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” will be on view at the museum from March 24, 2023 through March 2024.
For more details on the new exhibition and to sign up for additional updates, visit the museum’s Afrofuturism website.
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