Miriam Makeba’s presence is very much felt within CARA this week, as we prepare to open our doors. The cover of this vinyl record “house of MAKEdba” is a frame from Neo Muyanga’s animated sequence, “MAKEdbA in Exile” (2019). The path of Afro-futures was introduced to Muyanga through Makeba’s life, songs, and “unbridled instance of African-multiplicity.” 🎙 Along with the record—on rotation at CARA when we open next week—a larger work of the same title will be on view on our ground floor gallery, consisting of a silver flat crt tv, mannequin, clothing (here in sneak peek detail), and a video titled “aMa’s eyes.” The West Village became Makeba’s home away from home during the civil rights era of the 1960’s. During this time she performed at venues such as The Bitter End, and at The Village Vanguard, less than 3 blocks away from CARA’s building. ☀️ Finally, an image of Makeba by Marilyn Nance, from Marilyn Nance: Last Day in Lagos, edited by Oluremi C. Onabanjo and co-published by CARA and Fourthwall Books. Drawing from Nance’s extensive archive, most of which has never before been published, “Last Day in Lagos” chronicles the exuberant intensity and sociopolitical significance of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, also known as FESTAC’77, held in Lagos, Nigeria. Makeba was described as a highlight of FESTAC '77. It was during the period that she accepted the label "Mama Africa". We look forward to celebrating these works with you as CARA opens with the launch of “Marilyn Nance: Last Day in Lagos” as well as with Neo Muyanga’s Exhibition “A Mass of Cyborgs,” on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1. 🎉 Kindly RSVP via cara-nyc.org #neomuyanga #amassofcyborgs #massofcyborgs #marilynnancephotoarchive #marilynnance #miriammakeba #mamaafrica #festac77 @marilyn.nance @festac77archive