Museum of Anthropology events

Searching for African Solutions to Contemporary Challenges

Africa Awareness Symposium

Opening Ceremony, Museum of Anthropology

Tuesday, January 23, 2007, 5:30 pm (pay as you can; $5 suggested per person)

“Searching for African Solutions to Contemporary Challenges” is the theme of this year’s Africa Awareness Symposium at UBC (January 22-27, 2007). MOA is co-hosting the opening event, which features a choral rendition of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” and a keynote speaker. The symposium provides unique opportunities for members of UBC and the public to focus on contemporary issues in Africa. For conference information, please contact africa-awareness@mail.arts.ubc.ca.

EXHIBITIONS

The Village is Tilting: Dancing AIDS in Malawi

February 6 – September 3, 2007

Opening Reception Tuesday, February 6, 7:00 pm

Guest Curator’s Talk Tuesday, February 20, 7:00 pm

Perceptions of Africa: A Dialogue

Thursday, March 8 – Saturday, March 10, 2007, Great Hall

$9 per night or $20 for the three-session series; student rate $7 per night or $15 for series

(call 604.827.5618 in January for ticket information)

In association with the exhibition, The Village is Tilting: Dancing AIDS in Malawi, MOA is proud to present “Perceptions of Africa: A Dialogue,” three evenings of presentations, conversation, and reflection on themes of Africa, AIDS, and representation of Africa by the West.

The African continent, rich in diversity, culture, and complexity, is often viewed in a context of despair and desperation that excludes the other multifaceted realities that exist in a continent of over fifty countries. Through this Dialogue, we will review some of the ways in which African countries are represented in the west, look at ways in which African countries are finding their own solutions in addressing AIDS, and create a forum where the public can participate in reviewing, responding to, and reflecting on these themes.

Along with African students, presenters include Michael Gondwe, National Education Coordinator for the Museums of Malawi; Juliet Tembe, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of The AIDS Support Organization; and Douglas Curran, photographer, collector, and guest curator of The Village is Tilting: Dancing AIDS in Malawi. This is the second in the Museum’s annual Global Dialogue series, following on our very successful “Dialogue of Cities” event last June.

Thursday, March 8, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Representations of Africa

Friday, March 9, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

African Agency, Local Initiatives, and AIDS

Saturday, March 10, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Respond, Reflect, Engage: A Discussion

Reception to follow