Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility

Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility is a major exhibition that brings together a multigenerational group of artists who engage the “semi-visible” figure—representations that are partially obscured, including, in some cases, literally darkened. In its inherent tension between clarity and occlusion, the semi-visible figure is a site of great material complexity and experimentation.

This exhibition suggests that the concept of “going dark” is a tool used by artists to reflect enduring and urgent questions surrounding both the potential and the discontents of social visibility. Across media—painting, photography, sculpture, video, and installation—Going Dark names, charts, and makes meaning of the semi-visible figure, arguing for its significance in contemporary art as a genre of unique conceptual and formal power. This exhibition will occupy the six ramps of the museum’s iconic rotunda space.

This exhibition will include works by the following artists: American Artist, Kevin Beasley, Rebecca Belmore, Dawoud Bey, John Edmonds, Ellen Gallagher, David Hammons, Lyle Ashton Harris, Tomashi Jackson, Titus Kaphar, Glenn Ligon, Kerry James Marshall, Tiona Nekkia McClodden, Joiri Minaya, Sandra Mujinga, Chris Ofili, Sondra Perry, Farah Al Qasimi, Faith Ringgold, Doris Salcedo, Lorna Simpson, Ming Smith, Sable Elyse Smith, Stephanie Syjuco, Hank Willis Thomas, WangShui, Carrie Mae Weems, and Charles White.

Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility is organized by Ashley James, Associate Curator, Contemporary Art, with Faith Hunter, Curatorial Assistant.

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