Rock My Soul

The Black Legacy of Rock and Roll

Rock and roll’s most stalwart roots are based in styles of music developed primarily by African-Americans: blues, rhythm & blues, jazz and gospel. These styles, in turn, had their own roots, which can be traced back to musical traditions that were born in Africa hundreds of years ago. They were brought to America when the first Africans arrived in 1619, and as these styles took root and evolved, they moved from the rural plantations of the Mississippi delta and the melting-pot metropolis of New Orleans, up the Mississippi River to urban centers like Memphis and later, Chicago. Without these African-American influences, rock and roll, as we know it, would never have existed.

Over the last 50 years, as rock and roll itself has evolved, African-American music has continued to be a major influence. From soul to funk to hip-hop, styles of music developed by African-Americans have been incorporated into mainstream rock and roll and have shaped the definition of rock’s identity.

The Arts League of Michigan and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are proud to present Rock My Soul: The Black Legacy of Rock and Roll. This exhibit includes works of art created by 10 African-American artists, each inspired by and representing African and African-American music: Juju / the music of West Africa, Jubilee / slavery work songs and spirituals, Juke / blues, Jive / jazz, Joyful Noise / gospel, Jump / R&B, Justified / soul, Jungle Boogie / funk and Jam / hip-hop – each one of these eras and genres is represented by works of art that convey the essence of the music and the spirit of the people who created it.

The Arts League of Michigan is a community based arts organization supported by a Board of Trustees, over 150 members of the Community Advisory Council and over 100 volunteers. The Arts League has worked within the greater Detroit community to develop, promote, preserve and present the African and African-American cultural arts traditions to the multicultural community. Over the years, the Arts League has offered a wide array of programs, services and activities for both artists and audiences.

Number of Works

21 framed works of art, including pastel on paper, oil on canvas, and mixed media. Identification labels and interpretive panels are available on formatted disc or as hard copy. Exhibition soundtrack (soundtrack is integral to exhibit) is provided on disc.

Size of Images

Works range from 28” x 18” to 60” x 36”, with one round piece 48” diameter; total approx. 55 running feet

Shipping Information

13 crates; weight: approx. 1200 lbs. Shipping is the responsibility of the venue and must be done by art handlers approved by The Arts League of Michigan.

Participation Fee

Rental fee is $10,000 for 6 months, plus shipping (TBD) and insurance ($100,000). Artists and curator are available to participate in community outreach and educational programs at an additional fee to cover travel and honorarium. Catalogue with full-color reproductions of the entire collection and historical text is available. Fee includes 500 catalogues.

Venues

Museums, galleries, libraries and other public institutions with professional staff.

Schedule

January 5 - March 6, 2007 - The Village Theater at Chery Hill, Canton, Michigan

Late 2007 - Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York, New York

Now Traveling

• The Color of Rock: The Art of Philip Burke
• Rock and Roll: Lynn Goldsmith
• The Velvet Years
• Fifty Years of Rock
• Black Legacy of Rock and Roll
• The British Invasion
• Psychedelic Posters
• Photojournalist Janet Macoska
• Reflections