It’s hard to pin down the birth of hip-hop exactly. Its roots run deep and wind into various genres and locations. But the date that most folks agree on is August 11, 1973, at a back-to-school block party in the Bronx hosted by DJ Kool Herc. With that in mind, the Saint Louis Art Museum will celebrate the genre’s 50th anniversary with The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century on August 26. Running through January 1, 2024, the far-reaching exhibition was created in partnership with the Baltimore Museum of Art.
“The big idea of this show is looking at the impact that hip-hop and hip-hop culture has had,” says curator Hannah Klemm. “This is a contemporary art show that really showcases the ways in which artists are influenced by hip-hop…it influences the way that art is produced and seen and understood.”
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Alongside works from acclaimed artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Bradford, and Kehinde Wiley, works by artists representing the cities of Baltimore and St. Louis will also be featured. Artists Damon Davis, Yvonne Osei, and Aaron Fowler—who has constructed a large pair of Air Force 1 sneakers entirely from car parts for the show—are among local inclusions.
Beyond the galleries, SLAM is also planning extensive programming and partnerships with five area multidisciplinary organizations to engage not only with museum visitors, but the wider community. Details are still forthcoming, but events will begin as early as April.
“By simply being connected to the St. Louis Art Museum, we are hopeful that, not only will we get the chance to showcase the amazing work that they’re doing in the community,” says SLAM audience development manager Andréa Purnell, “but also have them be a part of this great celebration.”
