The Michigan Daily - Monday, September 14, 1998 - 13A M0 Afrcan By Jenni Glenn ~For the Daily In keeping with the wide range of art in its display cases, the Museum Srt decided to add a new exhibit devoted to a formerly under repre- ~sented group. Two spaces within the ~Museum will be permanent galleries f'or African and African-American art. A frican art pieces collected over the past 25 years found a home in the new Curtis Gallery of African 'Ally' keeps the bad times good By Michael Galloway Daily TV/New Media Editor A recent cover of Time Magazine sug- gested that feminism might be dead by displaying four floating heads on a black cover, each head representing a certain era. Three of the heads were famous women of female empowerment. The fourth, representing the '90s, was Calista Flockhart, a.k.a. Ally McBeal. Few shows have made as great an impact in so short a time as "Ally McBeal." In one season, it has become a cultural indicator of sorts, although it's debatable what that really says. Actually, David E. Kelley's excursion into the mind of one rather neurotic woman was already making headlines halfway through its season, becoming the new water-cooler discussion topic and taking criticism from National Organization for Women for its portrayal of women. Despite criticism on this front, "Ally McBeal" never met with disdain for its acting or its writing, and the second sea- son, which kicks off tonight, promises to be as high in quality. In the season pre- miere, a new lawyer is approached to join the firm. Nelle Porter (Portia de Rossi), known as Sub-Zero Nelle for her icy and aggressive legal maneuvers, immediately becomes the target of hatred by Ally, Georgia (Co.urtney Thorne-Smith) and Elaine (Jane Krakowski) because of her rep, good looks and intelligence. Nelle is to be a new regular character on the series so the other women's jeal- ousy of her will be a developing story arc for this year, probably adding fuel to the fiery debate about the show's por- trayal of women. As for de Rossi's performance, she does well as an ice queen, though there really isn't too much in the first episode. to judge her by yet. It will be interesting to see what develops between her and the Biscuit (Peter MacNicol). The much lauded Tracey Ullman also appears in the season premiere, reprising her role as Ally's therapist. Ullman is known for being on the cut- ting edge of com- McBeal edy, and her pres- ence on the show FOX seems to be in Tonight at 9 p.m. response to criti- cism. After all, if Ullman blesses the show with her presence, then "Ally" can't be that bad. But to see Ullman's character only in this way gives no cred- it to its richness. The therapist tells Ally she is a nut every other minute and dis- plays a hilarious apathy to her patient's feelings, choosing instead to be blunt. And "Ally" doesn't need to be defend- ed in the first place. Few shows have dis- played the honesty that this one has about what men and women actually think, finally giving voice to a lot of issues that remain unspoken. Those who have seen "Picket Fences" know that speaking on racy issues is David E.: Kelley's stock and trade, and "Ally" does. no less. It just approaches them in a: humorous manner, whereas Kelley's other brainchild, "The Practice," hits: these issues from a more dramatic per- spective. Hopefully, "The Practice" will offer the same quality in its premier that "Ally McBeal" does tonight, promising another season of great television with: which to avoid studying. C".ONTROL STARTING SEPTEMBER 21. 1998 "EATING ISSUES AND BODY IMAGE THERAPY GROUP" (OPEN ENROLLMENT THROUGH 1015198) 8:00-9:45 P. M. SHERI SZUCH PH.D 741-8584 SUZANNE BATES PH 0668-0077 CALL FOR PRE-GROUP INTERVIEW r Curtis Gallery of African and African - American Art Museum of Art and African- American Art. Although the Museum 's directors col- lected African art as early as the '70s, a for- mal exhibit never formed. "There's a lot that's been (at the Museum) for some time, but it hasn't been (on dis- curator Trevor Courtesy of the Museum of Art Akan (Fante) Ghana's "Maternity Figure" is carved wood with blue green and red pigment. it Is among the exhibits in the Curtis Gallery of African and African- American Art, a new exhibit at the Museum of Art. play)," guest Schoonmaker said. Donations from several sources, including University alumni James and Vivian Curtis, added enough to the Museum's own pieces to form a permanent collection in honor of the , tises. ~40'he Museum displayed the exhib- it beginning in June. The gallery was officially dedicated and opened to the public this past Friday. Since the Museum had no African art experts, the acting director asked former African Art Prof. Nii Quarcoopome and graduate student Schoonmaker to be guest curators. "For me, it was a terrific experience working with (Quarcoopome)," ,r-a " t Schoonmaker said. "At the end I got to take over, and at the beginning he gave great guidance." As guest curators, they organized the collection by function and ethnic group. "We decided to try and show the breadth of thecollection and the diversity of the collection," Schoonmaker said. The pieces range from dolls to swords, the origins from South to West Africa. Art in the exhibit reflects the themes of secular and sacred power, knowledge and communication and how art transforms the sense of self. Pieces include a Bundu/Sande Society helmet mask, which is the only kind of mask worn by women dancers in a particular region of Africa, an Asante stool, a Yoruba beaded crown and a Chokwe throne. Many of the masks, dolls and thrones in the exhibit reflect rituals in African society, including coming of age and other traditional cere- monies. Most of the objects are forged out of metal or carved from wood. The exhibit will be up for at least one year, Schoonmaker said. Following this display of the permanent collection, traveling exhibits of the same art forms will occupy the gallery. r FALL TERM Apply now at the Law Library-- non-Law Students * Law Students . S.L Student Apply in person: Room S-180 in the Law Library's under ground addition, S-noon and 1_5, 'Monday througb friday. AA'O FOR SENIOR I WHO QUALIFY EDUCATION "now )ENTAL STUDENTS -A RARE ADVANCE OPPORTUNITY. Qualify and be selected to take part in the Army Advance Education Program and, in a single year, you'll gain invaluable experience in every major area of dentistry: diagnosis, oral surgery, peri- odontics, fixed and removable prosthodontics, preventive dentistry, endodontics, and other spe- cialties. 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