The new International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, opens its doors to the public today and we are so proud to have been part of the team. Located on the site of Gadsden’s Wharf, evoking the power of this sacred historic site where more than 40% of all American slaves disembarked after their forced journey from Africa, the museum explores the diverse journeys and achievements of these individuals and their descendants in South Carolina, the United States, and throughout the African Diaspora.
In close coordination with IAAM curatorial, scholar, and advisory teams, Cortina Productions designed and produced 37 media exhibits, including media as artifact, original films, interactives, audioscapes, and an audio tour. Each of the nine thematic galleries serve to share a global perspective of the African and African American journey, and to commemorate tragedy while celebrating legacy. While highlighting the international story, the museum also places a strong emphasis on its locale. To help support the museum’s goal of underlining the importance of South Carolina and its heritage, we worked closely with the local community and collaborated with local artists, musicians, and producers to express a personal and central experience.
“We worked closely with members of the Gullah Geechee community to produce two short films in the Gullah Geechee gallery. We filmed on Sol Legare Island, Johns Island and the East Side of Charleston and interviewed members of the Gullah Geechee community in all three locations. One theme that kept coming up is the importance of holding onto the land that has been passed down through generations of Gullah Geechee since the Civil War. It was an honor to produce these videos and we hope we did the community proud,” comments Jen Fetsch, Senior Producer.
To find out more about the International African American Museum and its exhibits, please visit: https://iaamuseum.org/the-museum/
Images: © Sahar Coston-Hardy/Esto. All rights reserved.
Project Team:
Media Design and Production by Cortina Productions
Exhibit Design by Ralph Appelbaum Associates
AV Systems by JCI
