Imagining an Archipelago: Exhibition Examines US Colonial Legacy Through Art
The branding of the United States’ semiquincentennial signifies a transition from a national identity to a broader concept of America. This transformation was emphasized by historian Daniel Immerwahr in his 2019 publication, “How to Hide an Empire.” It originated in 1898 with the Spanish-American War, which resulted in U.S. dominion over Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. The Filipino-American War (1899-1902) led to around 750,000 fatalities among Filipinos. Immerwahr’s perspectives will be presented in the “Imagining an Archipelago” exhibition at Colby College Museum of Art, running from July 11, 2026, to June 6, 2027, featuring over 50 contemporary artworks, before it moves to Puerto Rico, San Francisco, and Newark.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Imagining an Archipelago: Art from Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Their Diasporas' on view July 11, 2026–June 6, 2027 at Colby College Museum of Art.
- Approximately 50 artworks by more than 40 contemporary artists.
- First major exhibition using contemporary art to examine Manifest Destiny beyond the US.
- Travels to Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico (Aug 20, 2027–Feb 6, 2028), Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (Mar 17–Aug 13, 2028), Newark Museum of Art (Sep 28, 2028–Feb 18, 2029).
- Historian Daniel Immerwahr's book 'How to Hide an Empire' (2019) and NPR 'Throughline' episode contextualize the shift from 'United States' to 'America' after 1898.
- The Spanish-American War (1898) led to US control of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam.
- Filipino-American War (1899–1902) resulted in an estimated 750,000 Filipino deaths.
- Teddy Roosevelt promoted the term 'America' and imperial expansion.
Entities
Artists
- Daniel Immerwahr
- Rund Abdelfatah
- Teddy Roosevelt
- William McKinley
Institutions
- Colby College Museum of Art
- Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
- Newark Museum of Art
- National Public Radio
- Throughline
- Forbes
Locations
- United States
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- Philippines
- Guam
- American Samoa
- Hawai'i
- Alaska
- Spain
- Waterville
- Maine
- San Juan
- San Francisco
- Newark