Museum of Art & History or MOAH is in a modern, ferro-concrete buildIng with wide expanse of plate glass & aluminum framing. It has a generic institutional look so typical since the last fourth of the 20th century. So much clear glass must trap huge amounts of heat from rays of the intense summer sun which must mean much pollution creatIng energy has to be expended to cool its interior. Not exactly a building meeting zero emission standards in the new age of global warming. January - April 2022: Exhibition of Works by Marc Steven Greenfield is a must-see. It addresses in a very deft way racism as witnessed and experienced by a Black Man in America in a new, sophisticated, novel light. He raises questions about race, equality, inequality, retribution, and possible reconciliation.His mastery in many different styles proves that he is a meister artist capable of manipulating the media into thought provoking questions often done by confronting and "owning" negative, insulting stereotypes of Blacks on canvas. In another method, he places Blacks in the style of Catholic icons of the Virgin & Baby Jesus and the Pietà where Virgin Mary cradles the dead Jesus. In the background there are scenes of racist Nazi's receiving just retribution for their horrendous acts against humanity. There is even an iconic portrait of Yasukè (yah soo keh), who was a Sub-Saharan Black African, who served as a high ranking Samurai in 16th century Japan during the Warring States period, in high Japanese military regalia. Marc Steven Greenfield is well informed about history, culture, religion, politics, race and synthesizes a powerful brew that if we drink it, it gives us food for thought....Why are we so hung up on the color of our skin? It's another indictment that we humans are the strangest of all animals. Be sure to see Mr. Greenfield's interview in the small side projection room. The second floor is dedicated to "What would you say?", Activist Graphics from LACMA:It's a melange of graphics by various artists depicting Disco Singer Sylvester as Gay or even alluding at a Trans Woman. Black Man in white Ku Klux Klan dress is tongue in cheek, sarcastic humour ridiculing white supremacy. Series of repeating prints of a woman with the title of "I will not be Assimilated." as though she is threatened by the Borg which, in fact, is our own conformist society. Esoteric reference to Royal Crown Hair Dressing and showing a woman wearing a dress decorated with a woman showing a big butt seems humourous in line with rap songs idolizing ample derrière. Another great thing about MOAH is that it's free. You only need to give out your resident zip code. Great way to spend an afternoon creating new, cerebral, synaptic connections. There are two other associated museums nearby: Western Hotel Museum and Cedar Center for the Arts Museum. Times and dates vary so be sure to call.
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"What a wonderful gallery. The space is open and inviting and the owner super friendly. A wide array of artists are featured and you will certainly find something that you will love. There are paintings sculpture jewelry and finely crafted leather goods. You will discover new artists who you will love."
"Amazing place! First time here and it was delicious... small coffee shop with cute plants everywhere, I got influenced by AV Girls Runnung Club"
