In New York City in the early 1970s, institutionalized racism and systemic neglect had left African American, West Indian, and Latinx communities...
Course
Basquiat in Context
March 24–April 30, 2020
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Hollywood Africans, 1983. Acrylic and oil paintstick on canvas. Whitney Museum of American Art, New York. Gift of Douglas S. Cramer. © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
The visual art of Jean-Michel Basquiat and his contemporaries embraced a range of creative practices from hip-hop and jazz music to wildstyle lettering and street art. Through multiple perspectives, explore the historical, musical, and art historical contexts of the artists at the heart of New York’s vibrant 1980s post-graffiti movement.
Take the full five-week course or choose the lectures that interest you most.
Ticket Packages
Multi-session course packages are available. Please note that this course package is not available after the date of the first session.
For more information and to purchase tickets for individual sessions, select from the section below.
Ticket Required
Members
$120.00
Nonmembers
$150.00
Wheelchair accessible
Assistive listening system
Past Events
Lecture
March 26, 2020
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
In New York City in the early 1970s, institutionalized racism and systemic neglect had left African American, West Indian, and Latinx communities...
Lecture
March 31, 2020
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Jean-Michel Basquiat exploded into a volatile New York art scene expanding in all directions. A new generation of conceptual artists mixed texts and...
Lecture
April 2, 2020
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
Jean-Michel Basquiat exploded into a volatile New York art scene expanding in all directions. A new generation of conceptual artists mixed texts and...
Lecture
April 7, 2020
10:30 am–12:00 pm
In the 1990s, mainstream hip-hop appealed to a broad demographic favoring both “hardcore” recordings and radio-friendly pop rap. Underground scenes...
Lecture
April 9, 2020
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
In the 1990s, mainstream hip-hop appealed to a broad demographic favoring both “hardcore” recordings and radio-friendly pop rap. Underground scenes...
Lecture
April 14, 2020
10:30 am–12:00 pm
The post-graffiti moment in 1980s New York City marked the transition of street art from city walls and subway trains onto canvas and into the art...
Lecture
April 16, 2020
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
The post-graffiti moment in 1980s New York City marked the transition of street art from city walls and subway trains onto canvas and into the art...
Lecture
April 28, 2020
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Historian and artist Caleb Neelon explores the relationship between Basquiat and the history of graffiti, and its impact today. Bring your questions...
Lecture
April 30, 2020
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
Historian and artist Caleb Neelon explores the relationship between Basquiat and the history of graffiti, and its impact today. Bring your questions...
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
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