Breaking the Frame: ‘Regeneration’ Exhibit Puts Black Cinema Center Stage at Detroit Institute of Arts

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has a new groundbreaking exhibition titled “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971,” offering a profound exploration into the often-overlooked history and influence of Blacks in American film. Running from February 4 to June 23, 2024, this landmark exhibit is organized by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and promises to shed light on the resilience and impact of African American artists in the face of discrimination and prejudice. This extraordinary exhibition, meticulously crafted over a five-year span, was curated by the dynamic team led by Doris Berger, Vice President of Curatorial Affairs at the Academy Museum, and Rhea L. Combs, Director of Curatorial Affairs at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. The dedicated efforts of former Assistant Curator J. Raul Guzman, along with Curatorial Assistants Emily Rauber-Rodriguez and Manouchka Kelly Labouba from the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, provided invaluable support in bringing this showcase to fruition. “The heart and soul of this exhibition lays beyond the walls of the Academy Museum or here at the DIA,” said Combs. “This is a living history that needs to be seen, shared and remembered for generations to come. I am so proud of everybody who contributed to this...