MMoCA Cinema: Space is the Place

Overview

Friday, July 26  • 8:15 PM • 85 Minutes • Rooftop Sculpture Garden • Free Admission

Head to the Rooftop Sculpture Garden for a special screening of Space is the Place. This classic concept album/film blends science fiction, blaxploitation, free jazz, NASA’s space program, and radical race politics.

In the film, avant-jazz musician Sun Ra returns to Earth in his music-powered spaceship to battle for the future of the Black race and offer an ‘alter-destiny’ to those who would join him.

This screening is in conjunction with the exhibition William Villalongo: Myths and Migrations. An early, influential example of Afrofuturism, the movie is cited by William Villalongo as one of his major inspirations for his artistic practice. Villalongo quoted the film directly in his artist talk:

I’m not real, I’m just like you. You do not exist in this society. If you did, your people would not be speaking about equal rights. You’re not real. If you were, you’d have some status among the nations of the world. We are both myths. I do not come to you as a reality; I come to you as the myth because that is what Black people are—myths.

The special effects, outrageous plot line, and apocalyptic message harmonize with the otherworldly score and conclude with a climactic live performance by one of the most innovative and profound groups in jazz history.

Space is the Place will screen at sunset in the MMoCA Rooftop Sculpture Garden (between 8:15-8:30 pm); doors open at 7:30 pm. Free admission.

Limited seating will be provided; guests are encouraged to bring blankets or portable chairs to use. In the case of inclement weather, the screening will relocate to the MMoCA Lecture Hall.

MMoCA Cinema is a program of MMoCA’s Education department and is curated by James Kreul. MMoCA’s film programming is generously funded by maiahaus, Venture Investors, LLC, and a gift from an anonymous donor.