Hip Hop on Over to the Ringling

There's a powerful new show at the Ringling museum – "Beyond Bling: Voices of Hip-Hop in Art". It brings artists together who have provocatively incorporated the urban street culture into their work, from painting and collage to photography and graffiti.

"Black Music vs. Helvetica", 2009, Michael Anderson
image courtesy Claire Oliver, NY

"king yo on the queen, yo!" 2010, iona rozeal brown
image courtesy of the artist and Saltworks Gallery

Dr. Matthew McLendon, the exhibit’s curator and Ringling's associate curator of modern and contemporary art, when asked what he thought the Ringling Museum’s regular patrons—some of whom are older—would think of the pieces being shown, he replied that he hoped they would spark conversation, and even debate, that is intergenerational. “I’ve had people who are grandparents tell me they’re interested in the work here because their grandkids listen to hip-hop all the time,” he said.

This dynamic, must-see exhibit runs May 21 - August 14. Free admission on Mondays; $10 admission Thursdays 5 - 8pm. Ringling members always free.

Mark Your Calendars:

On Thursday June 2 at 6pm, as part of the Museum’s ‘Art & A Movie’ series, curator McLendon leads a ‘Walk & Talk through the galleries of ‘Beyond Bling’, followed by a screening of the documentary about street artist Banksy, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" in the Historic Asolo Theater at 7:30pm. Tickets $10 / Ringling Members $5. Call 941.360.7399. To coincide with the exhibition, McLendon's new book, "Beyond Bling: Voices of Hip-Hop in Art", is on sale featuring interviews with six of the ten artists showcased in the exhibition.

Thursday June 9 at 7:30pm, renowned photographer, author and lecturer James Prigoff will discuss his insights of street art during a ‘ViewPoints Lecture’ in the Historic Asolo Theater. Tickets: $20 / Ringling Members: $15 (Free for Contributor level members and above). $5 for Florida college students and college/university faculty with valid school ID. Contact the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office: 941.360.7399. Click for more info: Ringling website  ~jm