Attention all hip hop heads: open up that iCal and block out a few hours any day from February 7th till May 10th to attend the AGO’s Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time exhibit (it’s also Canada’s first major Basquiat show). Why? Basquiat, an influential artist and graffiti writer, hit his stride in NYC in the ’80s, just as hip hop was rising (you’ve surely heard lyrical shout-outs to him by rap icons Jay-Z, Kanye and L’il Wayne, among others). Now you know.
For an early look at the show, snag passes to the February 5th edition of AGO First Thursdays, when the Basquiat Bash will be in full effect. Not only will you see the exhibit before the general public and hear a panel discussion on Basquiat’s legacy, racial justice and more, founding father of hip hop Grandmaster Flash of “The Message” fame (you know, “Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge / I’m tryin’ not to lose my head”) will be spinning while dancer Dana Michel live-performs Basquiat-inspired work (OK, maybe not at the same time).
Don’t risk missing out on some hip hop history in the making. —Karen Kwan
Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W., Toronto, 416-979-6648, www.ago.net
Photos © Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Licensed by Artestar, New York.
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