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Events
PAST EVENTS
Through collaboration with community partners, talent featured in the exhibit, and local artists, guests will:
• Be introduced to (and celebrate) the amazing photographers that documented the rise and dominance of hip hop in pop culture.
• Learn how photography played a critical role in bringing hip-hop’s visual culture to the global stage.
• Learn about the cultural, societal, and artistic impact of hip-hop.
• Get to explore their own creativity as they join us for some Hip Hop inspired art activities.
A WASHINGTON STATE HIP HOP HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION EVENT
A Conversation with Sha Rock: Mother of the Mic
Friday, November 19 | Virtual | 6:00pm PT | Pay-What-You-Can
Sha Rock began her career as a breakdancer (or b-girl) but made her name as a skilled MC and battle veteran. A member of the Funky 4 + 1, she is the first female MC to receive a record contract and is often referred to as the Mother of the Mic. The Funky 4 + 1’s 1980 hit “That’s the Joint” was named the greatest Hip Hop song of all time by Rolling Stone. A Washington State Hip Hop History Month Celebration event.
Paint & Sip with Claudia Villalobos
Friday, November 5 | Virtual | 6:00pm PT | Pay-What-You-Can
Paint a rarely seen photograph of megastar Megan Thee Stallion from the Contact High exhibition. Join us from the comfort of your home for a virtual Paint Night hosted by Claudia Villalobos.
Grab your favorite beverage, nod your head and tap your foot with every brush stroke as one of MoPOP's favorite DJs, the talented DJ Sir Juan joins us virtually to spin and scratch some of your favorite hits, features, and remixes on the turntables.
About Claudia Villalobos
Born and raised in the 206, Claudia couldn't be any prouder of her PNW roots! She is passionate about introducing all Youth to the ARTS community and the possibilities of all art mediums. Claudia hosts Creative Art sessions for underprivileged youth and out-of-the-box thinkers to explore the possibility of incorporating art into their lives in hopes that it could be a positive outlet for our Future Youth. Her love of art encouraged her to create Glow Girls. Glow Girls is a nonprofit that empowers young ladies to express themselves through hands-on art activities, inspiring them to be creative in their own unique way.
Instagram: @claudiavdesigns
About the Photo and Photographer
The Megan Thee Stallion photo that inspired our paint-and-sip activity was taken by Sam Balaban, a photographer and director based in New Jersey who's has not only been featured n the International Center of Photography, the Annenberg Space for Photography, and select exhibits in New York City and Los Angeles, but will also be in our Contact High: A Visual History of Hip Hop exhibit.
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop
A single image can define a moment, creating an instant icon.
They say a picture’s worth 1,000 words, and that’s especially true of one of music’s most language-conscious genres: hip-hop. Contact High explores four decades of photography, from the late 1970s to today, documenting a revolution not just in music, but in politics, race relations, fashion, and culture. Through more than 170 iconic images of hip-hop's most influential artists (Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Tupac, and more) — including contact sheets that give us a rare glimpse into the creative process of a photo session — Contact High examines the evolution of hip-hop, connecting us with the experiences, identities, and places that have shaped the world’s most popular music genre.
Don't forget to plan ahead and save on your tickets.
OPEN NOW
Fab 5 Freddy's Playlist
To ready yourself for an intimate glimpse into hip-hop's history, check out this playlist curated by Contact High’s creative director, hip-hop pioneer, and the original host of Yo! MTV Raps, Fab 5 Freddy.
Exhibition made possible by the Annenberg Space for Photography + International Center of Photography.
Curator Vikki Tobak, Creative Director Fab 5 Freddy. Based on the Book CONTACT HIGH: A Visual History of Hip-Hop by Vikki Tobak.
Exhibition made possible by
