Zora J Murff’s exhibition “RACE/HUSTLE,” on view in The Robert W. Wilson Building (B6) beginning December 6, aims to demonstrate, through photographs, collages, and, for the first time, installation works, that the pursuit of liberation is, in part, a struggle against a desire for what merely mimics it. 

Murff creates photographs, assemblages, videos, and text works that examine physical, psychic, and political violence, the rhythms and resonances of oppression throughout history and into the present, and the harmful desires that our visual culture cultivates.

Murff is particularly attentive to the structures of state violence. “RACE/HUSTLE” invites viewers to examine how systems of domination interlock, and how their injurious effects are normalized and made invisible in everyday life. 

“RACE/HUSTLE” is curated by Curatorial Exchange Initiative fellow Terence Washington

On August 30, master of ceremonies MX Oops, who was invited by exhibiting artist Jeffrey Gibson, will transform Building 5 from an exhibition space to a club! All are invited to bring their dancing shoes to bounce, pulse, and twirl together to the sounds of global bass music amid the works of "POWER FULL BECAUSE WE`RE DIFFERENT."

Head to the link in our bio to snag tickets to MASS MoCA`s hottest summer party!

Who loves shapes and colors almost as much as Julio Torres, who has two hour-length shows dedicated to his theories about them? Amy Yoes, whose site-specific installation “Hot Corners” is a sensory explosion of form and hue on the third floor of the Robert W. Wilson Building!

Photo credit: Ryan Harper (@magicharps)

MASS MoCA is the hot spot for art all autumn long, even as temperatures start to drop!

With the opening of two new exhibitions, Jimena Sarno’s "Rhapsody" and Zora J Murff’s "RACE/HUSTLE," opportunities to experience work-in-progress performances including the return of “The Plastic Bag Store” creator Robin Frohardt, new work by groundbreaking choreographer Deborah Hay, a historic restaging of Richard Foreman’s rock-opera “What to wear,” gallery visits with poet Anaïs Duplan, and more, MASS MoCA has something for every kind of art-lover this fall.

Members have a chance to snag tickets now, and all events go on sale to the public Friday, August 15 at 10am!

Coming up, we have two evenings in @redevstoremassmoca dedicated to the wonderful, hilarious, and heartfelt world of comics!

On August 14, Dan Nadel presents the first biography of Robert Crumb — one of the most profound and influential artists of the 20th century — whose iconic, radically frank, and meticulously rendered cartoons and comics inspired generations of readers and cartoonists, from Art Spiegelman to Alison Bechdel.

And on August 21, join writer and artist Diane DiMassa in a conversation about “Hothead Paisan,” icon of the ’90s lesbian DIY comics scene, a patron saint of those who wonder if going off the deep end is the only sane response to life in modern America. One of the funniest, sharpest, and most unexpectedly warm comics of the late 20th century, "Hothead Paisan" is still as revelatory today as it was more than two decades ago.

Calling all PreK-12 educators! You`re invited to a free Professional Development day at MASS MoCA on August 23!

Workshop topics throughout the day include: how to discuss difficult topics through art, utilizing visual thinking strategies in the classroom, and movement and art-making activities to support diverse learning styles.

Sign up at the link in our bio!

Curious about the relationship between public art and skating? Join Skate Haven founders J. Joseph and Steve Roberts in the Research & Development store next Friday, August 15 for a conversation about city planning, community, and, of course, skateboarding.

See the link in our bio to sign up ⛸️🛹 🛼

Two hot-off-the-presses book talks are coming up in the Reseach & Development Store this September!

First up, author/artist Melissa Mendes will join us on September 4 to discuss her graphic novel “The Weight,” which was inspired by the life of her late grandfather. 

Then on September 8, Jyoti & Auyon Mukharji and Tu Le of 328North will begin the evening in the R&D Store to discuss their cookbook “Heartland Masala” and will cap off the night with a dinner at STATE Food & Drink.