August is the dog days, and in Europe everyone goes on vacation. This Thursday there will be wining and dining, seeing and being seen. Whatever. Many galleries have group shows. But here are some others.
Patrice Lumumba was elected the first prime minister, June 24, 1960, of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, when it became independent. On September 24 he was deposed by Mobuto Sese Seko, in a CIA-sponsored coup. On January 17, 1961, he was executed by Belgian troops, and his body disposed of by the CIA. Three days later, it was dug from the earth and dissolved in acid. He was a great leader and a powerful speaker, but ended up on the wrong side of the great game for control of post colonial resources in Africa. How ironic the struggle of the time, between the United States and its allies, and the Soviet Union and its allies, in the context of today's China move on Africa unopposed.
The story of post colonial Africa is fascinating and surveyed in the book The Fate of Africa, country by country. A dramatic retelling of the last year of Lumumba's life was made into a film. And the documentary, When We Were Kings, provides a portrait of Mobuto against the background of the great boxing match between Joe Frasier and Muhammad Ali in 1974. To diminish crime in the capital around the time of the match, Mobuto arrested hundreds of known criminals. He executed a portion reported between a tenth and a third of them chosen at random, and released the rest. Another report has Mobuto hanging pickpockets on the public streets at the time.
Lumumba's icon status has resulted in streets and squares across Africa named for him. He is still well respected. So many African liberation leaders subsequently descended into corrupt and undemocratic lifetime rule, while the hope for economic advancement promised everyday citizens was tragically foiled. Mobuto himself is a classic example, he used his diplomatic status to bring Congo diamonds to Europe where he amassed a personal fortune estimated at 3-10 billion US dollars, never recovered.
South African photographer Guy Tillim has visited many, and documented everyday life there, in a show of images, Avenue Patrice Lumumba.
Ricardo Teles has Terras de Preto. These Brazilian communities were historic settlements of slaves who escaped to form their own self governing settlements. Here Africans of many cultures formed families and their own new world order.
At Blue Sky Gallery www.blueskygallery.org map 122 NW 8th 6PM-9
The Elizabeth Leach Gallery has two minimalist artists, Julia Mangold, German artist in Portland and Gregg Renfrow from the Bay Area. At Elizabeth Leach Gallery www.elizabethleach.com 417 NW 9th Map 6PM-9
Hellion has comic, graphic novel, illustrators Naomi Nowak and Joëlle Jones. At Hellion Gallery www.helliongallery.com 19 NW 5th Suite 208. Through the lobby of the arched brick entry, up the stairs and to the back. Very upper floor Japan-style.
Map 6PM-10ish
We love Reading Frenzy for very reasonably priced prints from Portland artists. This month they have a Seapower theme show. At Reading Frenzy www.readingfrenzy.com 921 SW Oak 6PM-9
Aaron Yassin makes kaleidoscopic collage of architectural photographs. These are sourced from old and ultra-new Beijing building images. Also curious to see his video versions. At Chambers Gallery www.chambersgallery.com 916 NW Flanders Early close 8:30PM
The Everett Lofts are recommended as always. It's easier for you to see them all than for me to write suggestions. Some close as early as 9PM. At the Everett Lofts 625 NW Everett. Bounded by NW Everett, Broadway, Flanders and 6th Map Some close as early as 9PM
For your early art pleasure, Body Vox Dance performs excerpts from their works tonight in the park for free. At the Washington Park Amphitheater North adjacent to the Rose Gardens in Washington Park. 410 SW Kingston Avenue 6PM Free
And for late talk and dance music, PICA is having a party. 415 SW 10th 8PM-midnight $5
