Hip-Hop: Seen/Unseen, 2023

In honor of Hip-Hop’s 50-year golden anniversary, Street Theory and the Greenway Conservancy are proud to present Hip Hop: Seen/Unseen, showcasing a carefully curated collection of early concert flyers and rare photographic archives from 1979 to the present. This mini-exhibition, nestled within the Dewey Square Plaza on The Greenway, is a tribute to the raw, captivating allure of Hip-Hop and its deeply embedded roots in Boston’s social and cultural tapestry.

Hip-Hop: Seen/Unseen explores the rich cultural heritage, historical journey, and pervasive influence of Hip-Hop in Boston, thereby exposing the vibrant yet often hidden heartbeat of the City.

When I arrived in Boston from Los Angeles for college in 2000, Hip-Hop is what welcomed me and made me feel at home in a new city. I reveled in it and was fully embraced by the graffiti writers, mc’s, bboys/bgirls, and dj’s who were creating out of pure love and passion for the music and culture. Along with my co-curators Edo G., Chico Silvera, and Pacey Foster, I am humbled and excited to put together the Hip-Hop: Seen/Unseen exhibition at The Greenway to give visibility to this transformative genre as we universally celebrate the 50th year of Hip-Hop. – Liza Quiñonez

Photos by Dominic Chavez

  • Illuminated by Problak’s 2022 mural Breathe Life Together as the backdrop, the exhibition strives to create an authentic portrayal of Hip-Hop’s far-reaching influence on Boston’s culture. It aims to provoke conversations about music’s role in everyday life, the power of grassroots art, and now such movements can redefine a city’s identity.

    The show flyers trace the roots of the movement by capturing the genesis of the New York and Boston Hip-Hop scenes, while the photographs transcend mere portrayal of iconic figures. Instead, they spot daily life, jam sessions, and gatherings through the lens of the five core elements of Hip-Hop: MCing, DJing, breakdancing, graffiti, and knowledge.  These artifacts reveal how Hip-Hop has been intricately woven into the fabric of Boston’s everyday life, profoundly influencing its language, fashion, and communal spaces.

     

  • Street Theory | www.street-theory.com | @streettheorygallery is a premier creative agency, founded by Liza Quiñonez and graffiti artist Marka27. With over two decades of expertise, the agency specializes in street-art, design, curatorial projects, and experiential marketing, transforming spaces and brands across sectors such as  lifestyle, retail, and community development. Dedicated to authentic experiences, Street Theory bridges art with street culture, empowering communities, and collaborating with some of today’s most talented and influential artists.

  • The Greenway Public Art Program is exclusively funded through grants and private sources, including the generous support of The Barr Foundation, Goulston & Storrs, The Greenway Business Improvement District, and Meet Boston.

  • The Greenway is a contemporary public park in the heart of Boston. The Greenway welcomes millions of visitors annually to gather, play, unwind, and explore. The Greenway Conservancy is the non-profit responsible for the management and care of The Greenway. The majority of the public park’s annual budget is generously provided by private sources.

    The Greenway Conservancy’s Public Art Program brings innovative and contemporary art to Boston through free exhibitions that engage people in meaningful experiences and dialogue with art, each other, and the most pressing issues of our time. Past Greenway exhibitions can be viewed on the Conservancy’s website.