THE CULTURE - HIP-HOP AND CONTEMPORARY ART IN THE 21ST CENTURY
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Schirn Kunst Frankfurt is dedicating an exhibition to hip-hop. From February 29 to May 26, 2024, the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt is dedicating a major interdisciplinary exhibition to hip-hop and its profound influence on contemporary art and culture in our society.
Hip-hop originated in the Bronx in New York in the 1970s as a cultural movement among black and Latin American youth. Through large block parties, it quickly developed into a culture based on the four pillars of MCing or rapping, DJing, breaking or breakdancing and graffiti. From the beginning, hip-hop criticized prevailing structures and cultural narratives and offered new ways of expressing diasporic experiences and creating alternatives to existing power relations. This went hand in hand with
a growing social and political awareness and knowledge building, which are considered the fifth pillar. Today, hip-hop is a global phenomenon that has driven numerous innovations in music, fashion, technology and the visual and performing arts.
Based on the origins of hip-hop in the USA, the exhibition "THE CULTURE" presents over 100 works, mostly from the last 20 years, including paintings, photographs, sculptures and videos as well as fashion by internationally renowned contemporary artists, including Lauren Halsey, Julie Mehretu, Tschabalala Self, Arthur Jafa, Kahlil Joseph, Virgil Abloh and Gordon Parks. It is divided into six themes: Pose, Brand, Jewelry, Tribute, Rise and Language. "THE CULTURE" sheds light on the political, cultural and aesthetic
characteristics that have made hip-hop a global phenomenon and established it as the artistic canon of our time. The exhibition also addresses contemporary issues and debates - from identity, racism and appropriation to sexuality, feminism and
empowerment.
The exhibition "THE CULTURE. Hip-Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century" is sponsored by the Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain with additional support from Deutsche Börse Group.
