Source: Janette Beckman / Courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery via AMNH
In the American Museum of Natural History.
An undeniable aspect of Hip-Hop culture lies in the way its stars have worn custom-made jewelry. Now, the public will gain an appreciation for it up close as the American Museum of Natural History has announced that they will be hosting a new exhibition on the subject. Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry will open at the institution on May 9.
The exhibition will be a continuation of New York's celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and is inspired by the recent book of the same name released by the German publisher, Taschen. Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry will be housed in the Melissa and Keith Meister Gallery in the Museum's Allison and Roberto Mignone Hall of Gems and Minerals.
The exhibition will feature items such as the gold 'Jesus piece' worn by The Notorious BIG, the diamond-encrusted Roc-A-Fella locket inspired by the label co-founded by Jay-Z, Slick Rick's jewel-encrusted crown stones and Nicki Minaj's one-of-a-kind 'Barbie' diamond pendant among many other pieces. Visitors can attend the exhibition with general admission to the museum.
“Frozen will really spark a sense of excitement and curiosity in our world of jewelry and trinkets as an expansive form of hip-hop culture that has inspired the world stage as an extension of our art,” said Slick, consultant to Hip-Hop and Ice Cold. Rick in a statement. “This collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History is a harmonious combination of creativity and cultural significance. I am honored to be a part of creating a unique and immersive experience for Museum visitors at such a prestigious venue in the Mecca of New York.”
The advisory board also includes Roc Nation executive editor Lenny S. Santiago, Pete Nice, television host Bevy Smith and author Tanisha Ford.
“Jewelry is a cornerstone of hip-hop culture, and you can see the evolution of jewelry alongside the rise of hip-hop itself,” he said. Frozen guest curator (and Taschen author), Vikki Tobak;. “From being a culture that forms in communities and neighborhoods, and then comes into its own and begins to influence global pop culture, hip-hop and its jewelry tell a bigger story.”
