April 17: Lecture - Art Deco in Africa-Exotic Style in Exotic Locales

Saturday, April 17 - 2:00 pm

The Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
 
Co-presented with the American Cinematheque, ART DECO IN AFRICA: EXOTIC STYLE IN EXOTIC LOCALES. 80 min. The world of Art Deco comes full circle with a look at Art Deco styles in Africa. Themes of the exotic have long permeated Art Deco, but few know that the Art Deco aesthetic can actually be found in the authentically exotic continent of Africa. Brought by the colonial powers in the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, the modern, cosmopolitan style was dotted across the continent as a way to demonstrate the African colonies’ break with old European architecture. From Art Deco cinemas in Ghana, Angola, Egypt and Zanzibar, to the entire "Art Deco city" of Asmara, Eritrea (the Miami Beach of Africa!), decaying Art Deco monuments suggest a bygone era of adventurers, pilots, and explorers. With the short film "Volta" (13 min., 2009, Canada) directed by Ryan Mullins. An official selection of the Toronto Film Festival, the film is about an Art Deco movie theatre in Africa. In an era of generic multiplexes, it’s difficult to imagine a place where theatres have disappeared altogether. Guided by the former projectionist, Ryan Mullins explores a derelict theatre in rural Ghana that retains shadows of its former purpose while serving as a makeshift school. This exquisitely photographed documentary reveals the importance of local cinemas as gathering places that can expose remote areas to the larger world.
 
Lecturer Marc Weitz is an adventurer and attorney who has traveled through 23 countries in Africa. He is a member of the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, the L.A. Conservancy and the Adventurers' Club of Los Angeles.
 
Tickets are $7 for members of ADSLA and American Cinematheque. Regular American Cinematheque prices apply for the general public ($11) and students/seniors ($9) and are available via Fandango, or can be purchased on the day of the event at the door. Please bring your ADSLA membership card with you to the box office.
 
The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, 90028 between Las Palmas and McCadden, just east of Highland Avenue, north of Selma Avenue.  Parking: $2 per hour metered parking available near the theatre. $2 for four hours validated parking available at Hollywood & Highland. There are also pay parking lots on Las Palmas and Cherokee that cost approximately $10. Why not take the metro? The Egyptian is a very short walk east from the Hollywood & Highland METRO station.
 
Photo of Fiat Tagliero Building by Marc Weitz