Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón
Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón is a major exhibition that explores and expands the visual, political, and spiritual histories of dancehall and reggaetón through contemporary art—two dynamic genres that have transcended their grassroots origins to shape global culture. From Kingston to San Juan through Panama, New York City, and London, Dancing the Revolution positions music and dance as a revolutionary practice for collective liberation rooted in the struggle against colonial oppression.
Dancehall and reggaetón are not only musical genres but cultural practices and powerful expressions of resistance and joy—reminders of the Caribbean’s centuries-old traditions of dance and music as means of liberation and protest rooted in Black Atlantic history and culture. Dancing the Revolution showcases pivotal moments and themes from these histories, starting with the sound system, a mobile disco that embodies both a community experience and a vital civic institution.
Presenting work across varied mediums, Dancing the Revolution includes painting, sound sculptures, installations, photographs, and video, showcasing how artists have been and continue to be inspired by these histories and the visual forms that emerge from them. The exhibition features more than forty contemporary artists, including Isaac Julien, Edra Soto, Alberta Whittle, Carolina Caycedo, and Lee “Scratch” Perry. A special commissioned mixtape project by Juan Rivera invites visitors to learn about the evolution of these popular genres in Panama and hear the iconic songs that have paved the way for the global phenomenon of reggaetón.
Dancing the Revolution considers music and dance as powerful tools for sexual and political liberation. The exhibition’s title is inspired by the shifting RPMs (revolutions per minute) that mark the tempo and history of Caribbean popular music, as well as by the historic events now known as the Verano del 19, or Summer of 2019, in San Juan, Puerto Rico; multisectoral protests demanding the resignation of then-Governor Ricardo Roselló. On July 17, the same day that Roselló resigned, LGBTQ+ and feminist activists led perreo combativo, or “combative twerking” on the steps of San Juan Cathedral, transforming reggaetón’s characteristic dance into a form of political protest. This reclamation of public space through dance—an act deeply rooted in dancehall history and culture—demonstrates how music and dance can serve as bold acts of collective resistance and emancipation.
— Curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, with Cecilia González Godino, Iris Colburn, Nolan Jimbo, and nibia pastrana santiago
Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón explore le dancehall et le reggaetón comme pratiques culturelles de résistance et de libération collective, enracinées dans l'histoire de l'Atlantique noir et la lutte anticoloniale. L'exposition présente plus de quarante artistes à travers divers médiums (peinture, sculpture sonore, installation, photographie, vidéo) et met en lumière comment la musique et la danse caribéennes servent d'outils de protestation politique et de libération sexuelle, notamment illustrés par le "perreo combativo" lors des manifestations de l'été 2019 à Porto Rico.
The Dutty Gyal Show est une fiction vidéo parodiant une émission matinale américaine, mettant en scène trois figures du dancehall français (Aya Level, GC Ley et May the Original).
Elle réinscrit la contribution des femmes jamaïcaines au dancehall (mouvement émancipateur né dans le Kingston des années 1970, notoirement provocateur mais aussi espace de résistance et de créativité).
Co-créée avec les danseuses, l'œuvre utilise l'esthétique pop des raves jamaïcaines et les codes du talk-show pour centrer les voix marginalisées, fonctionnant comme divertissement, outil pédagogique et archive des circulations transnationales du dancehall.
© Aïda Bruyère
Vues de l’exposition Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón
Du 14 Avril 2026 au 20 Septembre 2026
Au MCA Chicago