Marla C. Berns, Shirley & Ralph Shapiro Director invites you to our opening weekend events
SATURDAY, JUNE 2
6pm: Lecture “Potency Conveyed with a Hammer’s Blow”
In this opening presentation, lead curator Tom Joyce reveals the skill and innovation of African blacksmiths in transforming one of Earth’s most basic natural resources into objects of utility, empowerment, and beauty. Intimately trained in the art of forging iron, Joyce illuminates the subject through a fiery lens.
Fowler members priority seating at 5:45PM.
7–9pm: Opening Party
Celebrate Striking Iron with African music spun by Tom Schnabel of KCRW’s Rhythm Planet. At 7:30PM enjoy an mbira ensemble led by ethnomusicologist Ric Alviso featuring special guest Julia Chigamba in the UCLA Arts Council Amphitheater. Afterwards try your own hand at playing the mbira, or “thumb piano,” an African instrument played with iron keys. Mix and mingle the night away with cocktails in the Davis Courtyard.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
1pm Gallery Tour with exhibition curators
1–4pm Drop-in Family Program: Sculpting, Molding, Forging
RSVP Here
