Pitch Black: Haiti and Congo Revisited

Using World Cup 1974 as a window into Black diasporan identity, MoCADA explores the profound relationship between sibling countries Haiti and Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). On the surface, the year 1974 marked an iconic first for both national teams — qualifying for the global soccer tournament and uplifting Caribbean and African nationalism to a higher platform. Beneath the surface, the twin countries, which share psychic memory, spiritual roots, and blood through the TransAtlantic Slave Trade, were contending with a sordid history with imperialistic powers and authoritarian leadership. Fifty two years later, as Congo and Haiti return to the global stage, one question remains: Fight or Flight?

Featured Artists:

Eddy Ekete, Esther Mido, Fabiola Jean-Louis, Lafleur & Bogaert, Moke Fils, Moonshine collective, Monsengo Shula, Nic[o] Brierre Aziz, Nicolas Premier, Vladimir Cybil Charlier, as well as legendary archival photos from the 1974 World Cup games.

Made Possible Thanks to:

This exhibition was made possible thanks to generous support from the NYC Coalition of Theaters of Color and NYC Cultural Immigrant Fund in collaboration with NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and NYC Council, A Better New York, New York State Council on the Arts, and Article 15 Gallery.

Maroon, Mawòn (2 Sides II A Book)
Nic[o] Brierre Aziz
2023
Diptych, collage; graduation tassel fibers, cowrie shells, Dogon Tribe beads, and silkscreen on American Target Company shooting range target posters, colonial maple pine courtesy of the artist.
48 x 24 inches each

The Haitian national football team run onto the field to play Poland as Haiti’s youth mascot walks off on June 19 during the 1974 World Cup.
Photo by Jerry Cooke/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images

Click the photos below to learn more and/or to buy from the MoCADA shop or our favorite bookstores.

For deeper exploration, visit Brooklyn Public Library for Art and Culture at 10 Lafayette Avenue for a curated collection of reference materials that are relevant to the show’s themes.