Issa Rae is curious and inspired. She is creating opportunities for herself and others to develop shows that speak to diverse audiences. Watch Rae discuss the origin story of the "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" and what's next for her in part three of The New York Times "Off Color" comedy video series.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Awkward, black and enterprising
Issa Rae is a multitalented artist with a distinct comic vision. As the creator of the funny and beloved "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" web series, she introduced an unlikely heroine to the world, an awkward and neurotic black woman. In "Ratchetpiece Theater," she casts the appraising eye of a high culture aficionado on translating the rhyme and reason of 'ratchet' music videos.
Issa Rae is curious and inspired. She is creating opportunities for herself and others to develop shows that speak to diverse audiences. Watch Rae discuss the origin story of the "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" and what's next for her in part three of The New York Times "Off Color" comedy video series.
Issa Rae is curious and inspired. She is creating opportunities for herself and others to develop shows that speak to diverse audiences. Watch Rae discuss the origin story of the "Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" and what's next for her in part three of The New York Times "Off Color" comedy video series.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Sugar and the Black Body
Kara Walker uses her unimpeachable artistic skills to create horrific, yet beautiful tableaus. The terror of the black experience in America informs her deeply researched and precisely crafted pieces. Ms. Walker's work acts as a visual counterpoint to the myth making essential to the notion of America.
A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, Ms. Walker's first public art piece tackles the complex and brutal history of sugar production in the Americas. The sculpture, at least 30 feet tall is a mammy/sphinx hybrid, implacable in expression and regal in bearing. The sculpture, made of at least 80 tons of white sugar is housed in the now decommissioned Domino sugar factory in Williamsburg. The sphinx is surrounded by sculptures of black boys cast in molasses and resin carrying baskets. These figures are modeled after subtleties-- sometimes edible, intricately designed food sculptures-- displayed between courses during feasts of the elite in medieval Europe. They were often brightly colored and flavored with the exotic spices from the Near and Far East. Are these subtleties figures the sphynx's acolytes, her protectors, or fellow travelers who toiled and bled in the cane fields?
A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, will be on display until July 6. The factory will be demolished after the show for the construction of condominiums.
Here is a small slice of the plethora of the commentary, criticism and addenda about the piece online.
Watch a short video about the production of the piece with Ms. Walker
http://www.art21.org/videos/
Kara Walker shares her ideas for the piece on Creative Time, the arts organization sponsoring the show.
http://creativetime.org/
The Washington Post offers a brief history lesson and primer for those interested in the context of the piece.
http://m.washingtonpost.com/
Hilton Als has written a comprehensive review in The New Yorker.
http://m.newyorker.com/online/
Monday, May 26, 2014
Toni Morrison in conversation with Junot Diaz at the New York Public Library
Toni Morrison has written harrowing, elegant, gut wrenching books for over thirty years. Her skill as a master storyteller is heralded by readers and critics all over the world. Last December, Ms. Morrison was interviewed by her self-professed biggest fan Junot Diaz at the New York Public Library. Their conversation was wide ranging. In addition to discussing the art and process of writing, Ms. Morrison talked extensively about her work editing some of the seminal works of the post-Civil Rights Movement /1960's African American Letters.
Junot Diaz lays out his ardor throughout their conversation, but I believe this rumination on Ms. Morrison’s influence on his existence speaks loudest:
“Besides the fact that you can out-write any motherfucker on the planet sentence by sentence…. that little fact always puts me to bed comfortable, no matter what the hell is going on in the world. I always lay in bed and I’m like, the best writer in the world is of African descent. Peace.”
Belated Birthday Wishes
Philly’s finest, Patti La Belle celebrated her 70th birthday on May 24. Her outstanding voice- smooth and pitch perfect- is a thing of wonder. Miss Patti can still out sing anyone on the planet.
Patti La Belle- Over the Rainbow, Live at The White House 2014
From Patti La Belle and The Bluebelles to her work as a solo
artist, Ms. Patti’s a vocal style cannot be duplicated. Her proto glam disco
sartorial choices as part of LaBelle and her Mohawk coiffure of
the 1980’s are indelible elements of the pop music universe.
Patti La Belle- Never Walk Alone with special guests Little Richard, Mavis Staples and Al Green
Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald- On My Own
LaBelle- Four Women
All Hail Grace Jones!
The incomparable chanteuse and provocateur is the ambassador
of ‘Cool’ to a world that has not yet caught up to her genius. There can be
only one and she is it. Happy Birthday, Miss Jones.
Grace Jones- I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)
Grace Jones- William's Blood
Grace Jones- Vie en Rose
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