For our exhibition, we have created an immersive introduction to the story of black music. You are invited to follow a route through five major zones: The Sacred Figures of Black Music, Mama Africa, The Birth Of The Black Atlantic, The Black Americas and Global Mix.
Enjoy your journey
Six spaces for one narrative
A brilliant scenography
- THE LEGENDS OF BLACK MUSIC
Musicians, committed artists, inspired creators and charismatic figures, the impact of their work has made them into icons that feed our imagination, and at times shape our understanding of the world and humanity itself. Twenty-two individuals, among them some of the greatest artists of the 20th century. In the centre of the room, twenty-two translucent columns represent the legends of black music.
- MAMA AFRICA
A tribute to Mother Africa. Around the walls of the room, 6 video screens present the artists and different musical genres of Africa through 18 interactive documentaries positioned according to the regions’ cardinal points: West Africa, North Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, South Africa and Southern Africa.
- THE BIRTH OF A BLACK ATLANTIC
The “middle passage”, the horrific Atlantic crossing by the slave ships. A totally immersive installation. A long, dark, disturbing corridor. All along the passage, poems projected onto the floor follow the visitor’s journey.
- Sacred rites and rhythms
This experience enables the visitor to explore the state of trance and understand the central place music occupies within different African and African-American religions. By blowing on the candles, the visitors activate stunning sequences on a 360° screen.
- THE BLACK AMERICAS
Black music developed across the American continent throughout the 20th Century: combining tradition and new ideas with visionary inspiration. Blues, jazz, rock, salsa and samba all blossomed on the American continent: USA, Cuba, Caribbean, Brazil, Colombia… Comfortably seated in 1960s egg-shaped chairs, the visitor travels across American music.
- GLOBAL MIX
Black Music is worldwide. Reggae, jazz, rock, funk and disco came out of a technological revolution. Today, the digital revolution constantly generates new styles across the planet. Along with documentary video screens, this room is equipped with an interactive touch-screen wall where the visitors can create graffiti in real time and DJ turntables to mix and record their own live scratch sessions.