I definitely have to give credit where it’s due. CCCADI continues to put together some great events. Tonight, they’re set to launch their truly unique art exhibition for Women’s History Month. Check out the details below…
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) is pleased to present “Wearing Spirit: Aesthetically Personifying the Feminine in African Sacred Traditions” a multi-media exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photography, textile art, video and installations honoring the power of the Feminine present in African Sacred Traditions.
While African Sacred Traditions exist within a context of gender duality of masculine/feminine, this exhibition specifically explores the complex fabric of female personalities in indigenous African spirituality. Work in the exhibition captures the essence and power of the female deities, priestesses, and prophets that have served as instruments of balance and grounding within indigenous African spiritual systems and their derivatives.
Artists attempt to answer such questions as: Who are the gatekeepers of the spirit and physical realms? Who are the most prominent female divinities? What are the roles of female priestesses and prophets in a contemporary context? How is feminine energy shaping the future of these traditions?
This show is an awe-inspiring reflection of the universal essence that is cosmically feminine. It also highlights the traditional West African systems of Akan, Vodun and Yoruba and their Diasporan counteparts along with other rituals and rites-of-passage ceremonies.
In 2010, people are still being persecuted for their devotion to these indigineous belief systems. Most recently, there are reports of Haitian earthquake survivors being denied food and assistance as well as having their temples and altars desecrated and destroyed by evangelical Christians, simply for their practice of Vodun. Additionally, there needs to be a resurgence of earth-based practices during times of environmental disintegration. These traditions must be preserved and celebrated and this exhibition further educates the general masses to the cosmic energy that is Feminine and Sacred.
Check out a full listing of the artists involved and a video interview with Imo Nse Imeh, Ph.D as he discusses his piece “Mechanisms in Uyai,” after the jump…
A glimpse into everyday Caribbean life, via GOOD.is. Check out the details below…
In 2008 and in 2009, the photographer Caroll Taveras ventured to Jamaica on two assignments, one for Culture and Travel and another for The Guardian. For the former, her work focused on the development of downtown Kingston, specifically as related to a youth art and cultural center known as the Rock Tower and the distinction between the areas of the city that are considered safe (uptown) and unsafe (downtown). After completing the assignment, Taveras developed a deep attachment for the area, and during her time there (and on her next assignment) Taveras felt compelled to keep taking photographs.
“When you get sent out on an assignment, even great assignments, you’re following a checklist,” she says. “But I always try to do something for myself. After I cover the ground I have to cover, I look for a few other things. Of course, music is such a big thing in Jamaica, and I, personally, was obsessed with dancehall girls.”
What follows is a selection of photographs from Kingston, Jamaica, through the lens of Caroll Taveras. This is a Jamaica you might not see in tourist brochures, and it’s all the more beautiful for it.
While Haiti’s problems are far from gone, and while lives of people are still far from what it used to be, life still moves forward. One of the best things is despite all the hardships certain staples of Haitian culture won’t die - namely art and music. I threw up a report a from the NY Times a few weeks ago about the hardships of Haitian artists. This NY Times video shows how artist are still pushing on, making music, painting and surviving.
New film on the way directed by a close friend of the artist. Check out the details below…
In his short career, Jean-Michel Basquiat was a phenomenon. He became notorious for his graffiti art under the moniker Samo in the late 1970s on the Lower East Side scene, sold his first painting to Deborah Harry for $200, and became best friends with Andy Warhol. Appreciated by both the art cognoscenti and the public, Basquiat was launched into international stardom. However, soon his cult status began to override the art that had made him famous in the first place.
Director Tamra Davis pays homage to her friend in this definitive documentary but also delves into Basquiat as an iconoclast. His dense, bebop-influenced neoexpressionist work emerged while minimalist, conceptual art was the fad; as a successful black artist, he was constantly confronted by racism and misconceptions. Much can be gleaned from insider interviews and archival footage, but it is Basquiat’s own words and work that powerfully convey the mystique and allure of both the artist and the man.
Carnival is jumping off around the Caribbean and South America but unfortunately not this year in Haiti. Due to the earthquake it has been canceled sadly enough and that also brings more hardship for artists and mask makers that prepare pieces for Carnival. The NY Times has a story about the plight of one artist in Jacmel.
It’s that time again, Carnival season is upon us. Well…not US being that we’re in New York, but just about everywhere else in the world is partying it up. Hot off the heels of my post of Jose’s photos from DR, the crew at The Big PIcture have put together a great gallery of celebrations all over the world, including Trinidad, Brazil, Nice, Venice and more. Check out a few of the best shots below….
Once more, it is Carnival Season in many countries around the world with a Roman Catholic heritage. Celebrations and parades are put on just prior to the observance of Lent. Over the past few weeks parades and celebrations have taken place throughout Europe, the Caribbean and South America. An estimated 730,000 foreign tourists, many fleeing snowy winter conditions in Europe and the United States, traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for this year’s celebrations. Collected here are a handful of images from some of the elaborate celebrations of this Carnival season.
Our peoples over at Fresthetic are at it again tonight, with their 3rd installment of Bullets & Love. Check out the details below…
We are very excited about this year’s Bullets & Love show, it plans to be bigger and better than ever!!! We have a really dope roster of artists contributing this year. We also have a very delicious h’ordeuvre selection by our homies at ELOTE.
ELOTE is a very yummy Mexican cantina style restaurant that also has a world collection of Tequila.
BULLETS & LOVE 3
Its 3rd Annual Mannequin ART Show
February 11th – March 9th
Opening reception Thursday, February 11th, 2010
7-10pm
Music by DJ Trixter
H’ordeuvre selection by ELOTE
Featured Artists:
M.Tony Peralta • Destroy & Rebuild • Sylvia Ortiz • Kevin Champeny • Zees & Ms Mensen • See One • Leo Tecosky • Margauxtron • Josh Diaz • Juan Doe • KA • Marthalicia • Nelson Caban • Rob Fokused • Munish Asnani • Sofia Maldonado • Savior ElMundo • CEKIS • SALO • Made in BKLYN • Bonafide Rojas • Mincho Vega
Red “What is that, Velvet?” Cupcakes and Sangria By E.SOTO
