Editorial

The Last Frame: Angela Davis, a Hammer, and a Beautiful 'Stache

by Lauren Reese

As we countdown to MCA 50, we continue our series of happy accidents found in the photo archives with frames 4, 5, and 6, all taken in the 1970s.

Torso view of a person holding a hammer close to their chest with their arms crossed
FRAME 4A: Joseph Shapiro's 75th Birthday, Jan 9, 1979 Photo © MCA Chicago
FRAME 5: Mark Rogovin installing for the exhibition Murals for the People, c. Jan 1971 Photo © MCA Chicago
FRAME 6: Mark Rogovin's inspiration wall for exhibition Murals for the People, c. Jan 1971 Photo © MCA Chicago

For Murals for the People, artist Mark Rogovin (Frame 5) painted a mural that featured a portrait of activist Angela Davis. While Rogovin’s inspiration wall in Frame 4 heavily features Davis, the continuation of her historical legacy, and visual representations of her, have also served as inspiration for our exhibition The Making of a Fugitive.

Twenty six black-and-white photographs of Patricia Hearst in four rows, with a letter of the alphabet—from A to Z—in white superimposed over each one.

Explore how narratives constructed by the media influence our views in Making of a Fugitive and more.

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The Last Frame

This photo series pays tribute to our history with an intimate and unique point of view: through the documentation of our exhibitions, artists, events, visitors, and staff.