Honor Brooklyn Museum Exhibition

Senate Resolution No. 1348 BY: Senator PARKER COMMENDING the Brooklyn Museum upon the occasion of hosting One: Egungun on April 30, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and cultural enrichment of their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Brooklyn Museum upon the occasion of hosting One: Egungun with Kristen Windmuller-Luna, Sills Family Consulting Curator, African Arts, and Susan Sills, Brooklyn Museum Advisory Board Member, on Tuesday, April 30, 2019; and WHEREAS, One: Egungun tells the life story of a 20th-century Yoruba masquerade dance costume (egungun), from its origins in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, to its current home in Brooklyn, New York; and WHEREAS, Composed of over 300 textiles from Africa, Europe, and Asia, this egungun swirls into motion during festivals, honoring departed ancestors; centuries old, egungun is still practiced in Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, and in the Yoruba diaspora; and WHEREAS, While previously exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, this egungun has not been the focus of extensive research until now; in the summer of 2018, its origins were traced back to its makers, the Lekewogbe family; and WHEREAS, Though no longer ritually empowered according to its community of origin, it remains a compelling symbol of belief; by highlighting a single egungun, this exhibition emphasizes the global connections of African masquerades while challenging the misconception that cultural practices are static; and WHEREAS, Also on view are four related West African textiles and garments, interviews with Nigerian scholars and contemporary artists, and photographs and films of egungun festivals; a text contributed by the Brooklyn Yoruba community brings diasporic perspective; and WHEREAS, One: Egungun is the first Brooklyn Museum exhibition to include wall texts in English and Yoruba; and WHEREAS, The arts are the building blocks of civilization; they are central to human expression; they enlighten us and inspire the imagination; educational institutions, individuals, and organizations which further such worthy purposes richly merit the recognition and appreciation of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, As the Brooklyn Museum looks back with great pride to its beginnings, viewing, with just satisfaction, its successful evolution, it renews both its dedication to supporting artistic excellence, and its commitment to the community it has served since 1823, expressing its appreciation to all those who have helped to sustain and enhance it over the years; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Brooklyn Museum upon the occasion of hosting One: Egungun on