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In and Out of Focus: Images from Central Africa, 1885-1960

December 6, 2002 - March 16, 2003

Museum: African Art Museum

Location: Level 2 Gallery

Through approximately 200 photographs, this exhibition examines how widely disseminated images by Euro-American photographers created and perpetuated ideas and sentiments about the peoples of central Africa who lived under colonial rule. Among the featured photographers is Casimir Zagourski (1883-1944). In addition, the exhibition explores the role Africans played in the photographic encounters. In some instances, they were active participants, "performing" for the cameras and developing strategies to meet the photographers' demands. Africans also frequented photographic studios and took up photography to demonstrate their modernity.

Catalogue

See February 2002 Smithsonian magazine, p. 26.

The photographs are from the extensive holdings of the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at the National Museum of African Art and from private collections in Belgium.

Online Exhibition