Afrofuturism
Afrofuturism
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
SCOPE OF WORK
SIE fabricated and installed the exhibition Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures, designed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
This 4,200-square-foot exhibition features innovative custom exhibition elements, including graphics, temporary walls, arches, cases, specialty lighting, and a hanging “media pyramid.”
SIE managed the process, from the demolition of the previous exhibition to the installation of the new exhibition. This included painting, wallpaper installation, electrical support, and production of exhibition elements.
In addition to this work, SIE’s 3D studio created a custom mannequin for one of the featured objects in the exhibition: the costume worn by actor Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther. Watch SIE’s videos to learn more about the process of making the mannequin.
SIE fabricated and installed a series of spaceship-inspired arches in Zone 1 of the exhibition.
Jeff Rosshirt prototypes the lighting for the arches.
The exhibition features otherworldly blue lighting.
SIE Fabrication Lead Enrique Dominguez prototypes specialty lighting for the exhibition.
SIE produced and installed several backlit graphics in the exhibition.
SIE modeled, produced, and finished over 150 GeoWeb graphic panels.
SIE Exhibit Specialists Carlos Neyra and Victor Garrett install GeoWeb graphic panels.
Exhibit Specialists Vincent Chirachellla, Victor Garret, and Chris Heiler jump for joy after completing a section of the graphics installation.
Zone 2 of the exhibition focuses on Afrofuturism on stage and screen.
SIE Exhibit Specialist Carlos Neyra cleans a case that will display costumes from The Wiz.
A media pyramid projects onto the floor of the gallery in Zone 2.
SIE and NMAAHC staff review the media pyramid structure at SIE.
SIE and NMAAHC staff review the programming of the lighting for the media pyramid.
Zone 3 of the exhibition focuses on activism in the digital age.
SIE Head of Graphic Production Scott Schmidt and SIE Exhibit Specialist Caleb Menzies install custom murals in Zone 3.
SIE Exhibit Specialist Zachary Hudson installs a mount for a Black Lives Matter banner.
Zone 3 includes a section about Black people in NASA’s space program and on Star Trek.
Zone 3 also focuses on Black superheroes in comics, television, and film.
SIE superhero Victor Garrett carefully navigates a truss through a tight spot in the exhibition.
One of the featured objects in the exhibition is the costume worn by actor Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther. Watch SIE’s videos to learn more about the process of making the mannequin.
SIE Exhibit Specialist Caleb Menzies installs a custom mural in Zone 3.
SIE Exhibit Specialists Carlos Neyra and Victor Garrett install the exit portal walls.