Blaxploitation, Defining and Era 1971-1979
04/02/10 01:28 Filed in: Benedum Gallery
Blaxploitation
Defining an Era of Cinema
Films from 1971-1979
Loved, hated, celebrated and eventually killed, the era of Blaxplotation is surveyed in the Benedum Gallery throughout February. MAC examines the some of the major actors and actresses, producers, and films that stirred the emotions of our nation from 1971-1979. Over 60 movies posters have been reproduced and a timeline of films cover the Benedum Gallery. Today the argument still flair over Blaxploitation's positive and negative influences on popular culture, however the influence is clear and the works stand as a testament to an era of change and growth for our nation.
Unlike MAC’s usual gallery fair this exhibit is as much historical as it is artistic. Spanning the largest wall of the gallery is a 30 foot long timeline with poster images and descriptions of 98 films released between 1971-1979. Mixed with the film descriptions are facts, trivia and controversies. This exhibit does not glamorize nor does it criticize the genre. Blaxploitation has a varied history that continues to influence many aspects of American culture, which should not be denied or forgotten. All month MAC will also be showing free films in the gallery and old movie trailers will be on constant rotation. Also, MAC Curator, John Javins has created a gallery playlist of over a hundred songs featured in Blaxploitation films with obscure and rare tracks not often played.
Public Reception: Friday Feb. 5, 7-9PM
Available Feb. 5-27
MORE PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION
From February 5 to 27, Monongalia Arts Center (MAC) is hosting "Blaxploitation: Defining an Era of Cinema 1971-1979" in the Benedum Gallery. The term "Blaxploitation" is a combination of the words 'black' and 'exploitation', which titles a short lived film genre fraught with controversy and excitement. The legacy of Blaxploitation is far reaching and still referenced in contemporary popular culture over 30 years later. MAC takes a delicate look at this genre by showing a timeline of 113 movies accompanied by short descriptions, facts and critical comments from the time period. On a loop in the gallery are 52 movie trailers projected on a silver screen, flanked by 60 movie posters.
A little history- Riding on the new wave of the burgeoning black middle class, the maturing civil rights movement and the growing feminist movement in the late-1960s and early 70s, black artists, writers and filmmakers began producing movies for urban black americans which starred predominantly black actors with themes of black power and heroism. Not only were these films for black audiences and black produced but they were also showing stories of racial inequity which many could identify. This films became immediate successes, yet saw limited release in only urban theaters at first. Another aspect to the films were their stunning soul and funk soundtracks, which at times out-grossed the movies and were often considered of better quality then the film itself. As there popularity grew so did the variety of films being produced and the number of theaters showing them. Civil Rights leaders such as the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference increasingly viewed the genre as a whole to reinforce racial stereotypes and believed the films were beginning to damage aspects of the civil rights movement. Debates over the political utility and aesthetic raged well into the 1980s. Eventually almost all major civil rights leaders called for an end to the genre in the late 70s. By this point major producers and film houses had started exploiting the movements and co-opted its core components and popularity was waning due to the rise of Kung-Fu movies and Disco music.
MAC works to show the genre without bias, representing the award winning films as well as the critically hated ones. Accompanying the exhibit is a soundtrack of 148 songs from Blaxploitation films. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5PM a selected free movie will be shown every week for the duration of the exhibit. MAC's curator will be available for discussion about the cultural impact of that film and discussion about any aspect of the exhibit. the schedule of events can be found online at www.monartscenter.com