August 9th was the final day to see GIANTS: The Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla. On view since April of this year, the 130-piece collection features work from nearly 40 Black artists.
The massive exhibit, a selection of works from the private collection of musical power couple Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean), originally debuted in New York before making a splash on the West Coast. It is now set to be on view at the Indianapolis Museum of Art from September to February 2027. Before the exhibit said goodbye to San Diego, it ended with a closing weekend celebration fitting for its name.
On Friday, guests were invited to gather for the official closing celebration. According to the museum’s calendar of events, a lowrider showcase kicked off the night in true San Diego style. Lisane Basquiat, sister of the legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat (featured in the exhibit) and steward of his estate, joined in a special conversation on artistry and legacy with ArtLeadHer founder and curator, Mashona Tifrere. Guests danced the night away to music sets from local DJs Dauche, Sasha Marie, and others.
The fun didn’t stop there. Soul Sunday’s monthly live music concert found its home in the heart of the museum’s grounds at Axline Court. Guests were treated to smooth sounds and instrumental versions of their favorite jams as they moved through the museum.
The museum was buzzing with excitement as guests of all ages moved through the museum to catch a final look at the artworks. One guest noted the sheer size of the exhibit, sharing that the layout of the museum made her excited to continue and see what other masterpieces were waiting around the corner.
There was much to be seen, including a special gallery wall dedicated to the photography of legendary artist Gordon Parks, a glittering 10-foot-tall mixed media painting by Micklane Thomas, and an enchanting room installation from Ebony G. Patterson. Museum-goers posed in front of artworks or reflected thoughtfully on certain pieces before turning to the next piece.
Having visited the collection twice myself, the energy on that final Sunday afternoon was different from my first visit. The conversations and pure wonderment on guest faces indicated that this was bigger than the artwork. As GIANTS closes its San Diego chapter, the exhibit leaves behind a lasting impression of Black artistry and creativity that touched all who witnessed it.
For full stories and photos only published in print, pick up a paper at a newsstand near you, or check out the latest edition of our newspaper on Thursday each week.
