Arthur Jafa's Largest Survey Opens at New Museum, Spanning Four Decades
Arthur Jafa's extensive exhibition, I Am Tony, at the New Museum in New York is his most significant showcase to date, occupying two floors and presenting video art, sculpture, and photography that spans four decades. The exhibition delves into topics such as Black music, religion, American cinema, political violence, and popular culture, all laced with Jafa's dark humor. Stephanie Wambugu raises concerns about whether some pieces prioritize obscurity over understanding. The newsletter also highlights New York art fairs, including Jasmine Weber's homage to Black Soho at Independent 20th Century, the politically charged New York Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1, and the Spring Break Art Show. A Hyperallergic member event is set for September 30, alongside notable works by Lara Saget, Dena Soukieh, and Phil Buehler.
Key facts
- Arthur Jafa's survey I Am Tony at the New Museum is the largest exhibition of his work to date.
- The exhibition occupies two levels of the New Museum in Lower Manhattan.
- It spans four decades of video art, conceptual sculpture, and photography.
- Themes include Black music history, religion and secularity, American cinema, political violence, popular culture, and the Internet.
- Stephanie Wambugu, author of Lonely Crowds (2025), reviewed the show, questioning whether its oblique register sacrifices comprehension.
- New York art fair coverage includes Independent 20th Century, the New York Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1, the Spring Break Art Show, and the Armory Show.
- A Hyperallergic member event with artists at the International Studio & Curatorial Program is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, in NYC.
- The 356th installment of A View From the Easel features artist Lara Saget.
Entities
Artists
- Arthur Jafa
- Stephanie Wambugu
- Jasmine Weber
- Lakshmi Rivera Amin
- Rhea Nayyar
- Aaron Short
- Emma Amos
- David Hammons
- Vivian Browne
- Lara Saget
- Dena Soukieh
- Emma Cieslik
- Judy Lichtman
- Lincoln Cushing
- Phil Buehler
- Greta Rainbow
- Valentina Di Liscia
- Kanye West
- Tony Williams
- Miles Davis
- Stanley Kubrick
- Jay-Z
- Seph Rodney
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Gary Carrion-Murayari
- Calvin Wang
- Herbie Hancock
- Robert Hood
- Cornel West
- Kiki Smith
- Thomas Hirschhorn
- Amy Sillman
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Drake
- Justin Bieber
- Larry Levan
- Robert Johnson
- Haile Gerima
- Glauber Rocha
- Mário Peixoto
- Dario Lasagni
- Howardena Pindell
- Anders Stephanson
- Larry Graham
- Prince
- Charlie Brown
- Marcel Duchamp
- Gavin Brown
- Diego Marcon
- Ho Tzu Nyen
- Tyler Cowen
- Julie Dash
- Bradford Young
- Spike Lee
- John Akomfrah
- Judith Butler
- Ekow Eshun
- Mark Godfrey
- J. Hoberman
- Kara Keeling
- Lawrence Rinder
- Martine Syms
- Hamza Walker
- Simone White
Institutions
- New Museum
- Independent 20th Century
- New York Art Book Fair
- MoMA PS1
- Spring Break Art Show
- Armory Show
- Hyperallergic
- International Studio & Curatorial Program
- Ceramram
- White Hot Magazine
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center
- Hell Gate
- Murambi Genocide Memorial
- Howard University
- Venice Biennale
- Miles Davis Quintet
- Blue Note
- Artpace
- Artists Space
- Serpentine
- MoMA
- CULTURED
- Highsnobiety
- Gavin Brown's Enterprise
- Basic Channel
- Sly and the Family Stone
- Immaculate Conception
- Disneyland
- Sunday Service
- Metrograph
- OMA
- Hyundai Translocal Series
- New York Art Life
- The New Museum
- Gladstone Gallery
- Phaidon
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Manhattan
- Lower Manhattan
- West Village
- Ellis Island
- Rwanda
- Gaza
- Palestine
- New York City
- Tupelo
- Mississippi
- Los Angeles
- Venice
- San Antonio
- Italy
- Bahia
- Brazil
- Clarksdale
- Berlin
- Germany
- Bowery