Exhibition Invites Artists to Examine Issues of Social Justice in the Future

LOS ANGELES, CA.- An Idea Called Tomorrow is on view – now through March 7, 2010 – at two Los Angeles institutions, as part of a unique collaborative partnership between the California African American Museum (CAAM) and the Skirball Cultural Center. Co-conceived by CAAM and the Skirball and organized by CAAM, with the goal of inspiring visitors to reflect upon the active role we must all play in bringing about a more just, equitable, and peaceful future, An Idea Called Tomorrow showcases new works by fifteen contemporary artists that imagine what a civil future looks like. Also on view in conjunction with this exhibition are 1956-1968 at the Skirball Cultural Center, and After 1968: Contemporary Artists and the Civil Rights Legacy at CAAM, both organized by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

An Idea Called Tomorrow was co-conceived by CAAM’s Visual Arts Curator, Michele Lee, with support from Erin Clancey, Associate CuratorRoad to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, at the Skirball Cultural Center. On view at CAAM are works by artists Abdelali Dahrouch, John Outterbridge, Dominique Moody, Joyce Dallal, Charles Dickson, John Halaka, Graham Goddard, Yong Soon Min, Sonia BasSheva Manjon, Ingrid von Sydow, and Betty Nobue Kano. On view at the Skirball Cultural Center are works by artists Kim Abeles, Castillo, Graham Goddard, Dominique Moody, and Kwahuumba & Karen Seneferu.

The participating artists’ ethnicities and backgrounds are as diverse as their presentations, which address a broad range of social justice issues of both regional and global relevance, such as environmental sustainability, shelter for all, human equity, equal access and respect, healthy living, reconciliation and forgiveness, and cooperation and peace. CAAM presents the work both in its enclosed Courtyard and outside on its plaza and green landscape. The breadth of the complete installation is a colorful addition to its current gallery exhibitions. Michele Lee states, “CAAM and the Skirball serve as a model of what can be accomplished when institutions and people work together.”

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