Dancing the Revolution

About the Exhibition

Dancing the Revolution 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.

Dancing the Revolution is curated by Carla Acevedo-Yates, former Marilyn and Larry Fields Curator and Director of Curatorial Initiatives, with Cecilia González Godino, former Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellow, Iris Colburn, Curatorial Associate, Nolan Jimbo, Assistant Curator, and nibia pastrana santiago, Curatorial Consultant. It is presented in the Griffin Galleries of Contemporary Art on the museum’s fourth floor.