The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) launch its first exhibition of 2010 "The Gentrification of Brooklyn: The Pink Elephant Speaks" curated by Dexter Wimberly. The exhibition presents the provocative work of contemporary, urban artists in Brooklyn who have been directly affected by either gentrification, extreme real estate development, eminent domain, and/or class issues related to income and housing.

The exhibition showcase the work of over 20 artists of diverse ethnicities, utilizing varied media and approaches including painting, photography, drawing, mixed-media, video, sculpture, poetry, music and theatrical performance. While all of the artists in the exhibition do not currently reside in Brooklyn, they all have a connection to the borough, and a poignant perspective on its past, present and future. Some have seen their neighborhoods gentrified, while others view themselves as part of the ongoing gentrification process.

In addition to the professional artists featured in the exhibition there will be a vignette of work on display from two local high schools (The Brooklyn Community Arts and Media High School and The Secondary School for Research) where students have been documenting the impact of gentrification on their neighborhoods over the past few years through photos and essays.

The exhibition runs from February 4, 2010 - May 16, 2010 at MoCADA (80 Hanson Place, Fort Greene Brooklyn)

Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for students (with valid ID) and seniors.  Free for children 12 and under.

Hours of operation are Wednesday – Sunday, 11am to 7pm
 
Check the mylittleo calendar regularly for more free public programs at MoCADA.
 

Image Credit: Tim Okamura, Stay Strong, 2009, and MoCADA