Last week, our new special exhibition was unveiled to the public. All the World’s a Stage brings together works of art in our collection that deal with the idea of performance. Performance is a key theme at the DMA this year, as we get ready to welcome a new neighbor to the Arts District: the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts.
All the World’s a Stage is an exciting exhibition because it brings so many of our favorite works of art together in one place. You usually never see Shiva Nataraja and Romare Bearden’s Soul Three side-by-side, but they’re only one gallery apart from now until February.
Yoruba Egungun costume
I’m especially excited that our Yoruba Egungun costume from Nigeria is back on display. This is one of my favorite works of art in our collection. Its multiple layers of cloth were added year after year by family members, and it is fun to imagine who added them and why. This costume is used during a ceremony to honor ancestors—quite different from how we honor our ancestors. The Egungun ceremony includes singing and drumming, and the Egungun twirls through the crowd like a whirlwind. It’s definitely a spectacle for the senses, and one I hope to see in person some day!
We’re offering a variety of programs for teachers and students relating to the theme of performance this year, including docent-guided tours of the exhibition. I hope you’ll attend one of these programs so we can share the excitement of this exhibition with your students.
Shannon Karol Tour Coordinator
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