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In fact, let’s broaden out from “webcomics” by pointing out that Pittsburgh’s ToonSeum has an interesting show opening next week, one whose press release scared the crap out of me because the subject line read
Funky Turns 40 at the ToonSeum which immediately made me think it was an exhibit of Funky CancerCancer. In fact, it’s about the first wave of positive black animated characters in the 1970s, which means one thing: Fat Albert, possibly including the early episodes which borrowed heavily from Cosby’s standup routines4. Funky Turns 40 is co-curated by Pamela Thomas of the Museum of Uncut Funk, which is the greatest name for a museum ever; the show opens 18 January and runs until 10 March.

If Joe Wos is right, then I am, indeed, as old as Funk. Older, actually, since "Funky Turns 40" opens at the ToonSeum this week and is celebrating with a huge exhibit opening and par-tay following the Gallery Crawl on January 27th, and I turn 41 in mere weeks and it will largely be a non-event. So, to re-cap, Funky is younger, cooler and has more friends than I do.

Seriously, ToonSeum's latest exhibit, according to Wos, celebrates "the legacy of the first wave of positive Black animated characters of the 1970's." He adds, "Until the Civil Rights movement of the late 1950s and 60s, African-Americans were treated as second-class citizens. While prevalent in music and popular culture, Blacks still faced extreme political, economic, and social prejudices. In comics and animation, Blacks were largely ignored or were depicted in broad, derogatory stereotypes. But as laws and attitudes began to shift, the Saturday morning cartoons of the 1970s became a direct conduit of social change, introducing a host of new Black characters. For the first time, audiences were exposed to positive, relatable images of Black life through animated series like Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Jackson 5ive, Josie and the Pussycats, I Am The Greatest, The Harlem Globetrotters and Star Trek: The Animated Series."

Undoubtedly a reason to celebrate. "Funky Turns 40" is co-curated by Pamela Thomas of the Museum of Uncut Funk. The exhibit runs January 18th Through March 10th. The ToonSeum will open at 8pm on Saturday, January 27th for the event, which runs until 10:30. Tickets are $5 for ToonSeum members, $10 for non-members, and a special $50 Donor admission will get you a free gift! You can purchase tickets here. Attendees must be 21. Can't make the it? Consider making a donation, so the ToonSeum can continue to offer great events like this in the future!

For more information contact:
ToonSeum
945 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-232-0199

The fine folks over at the Museum of Uncut Funk have an impressive animation collection which includes original production cels and drawings, limited edition cels, publicity cels and collectibles featuring Black animation characters from 1970's Saturday morning cartoons, television shows, films and feature films. Peep this brief video that puts the 70's era black cartoon revolution in historical cultural context...

Artwork from the The Museum Of UnCut Funk collection is currently on tour as a part of the Funky Turns 40: Black Character Revolution Exhibition. To learn more about this traveling exhibition, please click here. If you are interested in bringing this exhibit to your town, contact the curator here.
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The ToonSeum and the Museum of Uncut Funk present Funky Turns Forty, an exhibit celebrating the legacy of the first wave of positive Black animated characters of the 1970s.
Funky Turns 40 is co-curated by Pamela Thomas of the Museum of Uncut Funk. The exhibition runs January 18th Through March 10th.

For more information visit www.toonseum.org or call 412-232-0199

ToonSeum is located at 945 Liberty Avenue, in Pittsburgh’s downtown Cultural District.

Admission:
Adults and Children 13 and older $5
Children 6-12 $1
Children 5 and under are free

Funky Turns Forty
ToonSeum
1/18/2012 through 3/10/2012

This exhibition celebrates the legacy of the first wave of positive Black animated characters of the 1970s.

"Funky Turns Forty" presents a retrospective of original production cels and drawings from this turning point in cartoon history where Black and White animators created positive Black characters and Black-centric stories for all to enjoy. For more information, call (412) 232-0199.