Among Others: Blackness at MoMA begins with an essay that provides a rigorous and in-depth analysis of MoMA’s history regarding racial issues. It also calls for further developments, leaving space for other scholars to draw on particular moments of that history. It takes an integrated approach to the study of racial blackness and its representation: the book stresses inclusion and, as such, the plate section, rather than isolating black artists, features works by non-black artists dealing with race and race- related subjects. As a collection book, the volume provides scholars and curators with information about the Museum’s holdings, at times disclosing works that have been little documented or exhibited. The numerous and high-quality illustrations will appeal to anyone interested in art made by black artists, or in modern art in general.
About the Author
Among Others: Blackness at MoMA begins with an essay that provides a rigorous and in-depth analysis of MoMA’s history regarding racial issues. It also calls for further developments, leaving space for other scholars to draw on particular moments of that history. It takes an integrated approach to the study of racial blackness and its representation: the book stresses inclusion and, as such, the plate section, rather than isolating black artists, features works by non-black artists dealing with race and race- related subjects. As a collection book, the volume provides scholars and curators with information about the Museum’s holdings, at times disclosing works that have been little documented or exhibited. The numerous and high-quality illustrations will appeal to anyone interested in art made by black artists, or in modern art in general.
Industry Reviews
"Among Others: Blackness at MoMA" considers the institution's complex history with black artists, black audiences, and art about blackness.--Victoria L Valentine "Culture Type"
As museums across the world reevaluate their histories while acknowledging past instances of racism and sexism, Among Others, an anthology about the Museum of Modern Art's maligned ways of dealing with blackness over the decades, serves as a critical tome.--Alex Greenberger "ARTnews"
This book is exemplary for its combination of new research, interpretive analysis and quantities of information. Given free rein in the Museum of Modern Art's archives, the authors mined the untold story of the museum's fraught relationship with race in general and black artists and their work in particular.--Roberta Smith "New York Times"
This detailed, well-documented account of MoMA's history of collecting and exhibiting black art reveals historically problematic curatorial attitudes towards black art and artists.--Deirdre Spencer "ARLIS/NA Reviews"