Rock-A-Mambo Exhibition

From 2007-2011, I taught coursework in graphic design theory, history and typography at Prague College. For many semesters, I ran an assignment called ‘Culture & Cliché’, in which I tasked students with creating a CD package for an obscure but magnificent Congolese mambo band, Orchestre Rock-A-Mambo. The intention of the assignment was to see beyond cultural stereotypes associated with ‘Africa’ or any other generality, to delve into the contextual specifics of a project and deliver an appropriately nuanced solution.

In 2011, I organized an exhibition to showcase some of the great student work generated within this project (and as an excuse to play some Congolese mambo to boot). This also gave me a chance to design the exhibition poster, banner ads and informational placards.

Above are my promotional posters for the event (borrowing a portrait by the great Malinese photographer Malick Sidibé). Below are photos from the exhibition itself, and of my students’ work: