Futura Noir was born in 2016 as a way to celebrate, acknowledge, and inspire the work of Black creatives past, present, and future.
The name “Futura Noir” is a nod to the global influence people of the African diaspora have had over centuries. We ensure a dynamic celebration of Black History through the themes roots, resistance, and revelations. Roots, allows us to embrace our connection to the continent, Resistance serves as a reminder of the struggle and protest required to gain the freedoms we hold today, and Revelations, calls us on as a possible to channel our most creative and unrestricted selves. Over the past four years #FuturaNoir has manifested in the form a gallery exhibit, film screening, panel discussions, and more.
This year we are collaborating with the Brooklyn Museum to co-organize their First Saturday program for Black History Month and the opening of their special exhibition Jacques-Louis David Meets Kehinde Wiley. Guests who attend the program from 5pm - 10pm will examine the roots, resistance and creative revelations of members of the African Diaspora in a night of meditation, film, music, conversation, and joy.
GET IN FOCUS: FUTURA NOIR!
Before things get kicked off at the museum, we are partnering with our good friends at @SoulsInFocus for a photo meetup to start the day right.
Calling all creatives, from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday, February 1st, to join us for a very special #GetInFocus photo meetup in honor of Black History Month. All photographers, models, creatives with and without cameras are invited to meet up in Prospect Park. Attendees will take portraits, and have their portraits taken on the scenic walk over to the Brooklyn Museum en route to the legendary First Saturday program. All you have to do is show up and with good vibes, your squad, and the @SoulsInFocus team will do the rest!
RSVP now and be on the lookout for a follow up email with the exact meeting location.
Follow us for further details: @soulsinfoucus @theculturelp
FUTURA NOIR: FIRST SATURDAY
February 1st, 2020
To begin, guests will unwind with a sound bath, entitled “Ancestral Healing” from 5–6 pm in the Beaux Art Court on the third floor. Organized by HealHaus, a Black-owned holistic wellness studio that advocates for mental health, inclusivity, and diversity within wellness. Omar Davis will kick off the evening with an intention-setting, followed by a relaxing sound bath with singing bowls, facilitated by Phyllicia Bonanno
On the ground floor, for those looking to turn up, rather than tune-in, the eclectic Topaz Jones creates his own island of infectious funk and quick-witted wordplay in the glass pavilion from 5pm - 6pm. Jones boasts a sound that is a true hybrid of all things funk, rap, and blues.
There is also an assortment of intellectual conversation taking place, including a curator led tour of the Kehinde Wiley exhibit at 5:30pm, Teen Apprentice led discussions highlighting Black artists in the American Art galleries, a Scholar Talk with Niama Safia Sandy, and Fireside chat with Common (sponsored by Peleton).
Participants will have the opportunity to make their own art in the education galleries by designing their own flower beds and planters, inspired by the floral nature of Kehinde Wiley’s work.
For those that have been before, you know First Saturday is also definitely a party. From 7:30–10 pm Enjoy sets by the NVR Sleep collective in advance of the second season of DRMRS.FM. Creators Rodney Hazard, Mikey, Fab Roc, and ClassicNewWave blend vibrant DJ sets featuring dancehall, reggae, soca, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, world music, and positive vibes.
Be sure to visit the Brooklyn Museum’s webpage for a full run down of the day including a performance by Bri Blvck, film screening by Billy Gerard Frank, cellist performance by Niles Luther, and more.