Arting Into the Afrofuture

 

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn.

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog entry. Of course, I’ve gone to a bunch of art events in the meantime (because I just can't seem to stop arting!). So I decided to just do a bit of a roundup here…


On April 8th, I attended a workshop at the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA) for their LAB series, simply called Artist Solo Exhibition Preparation, given by multidisciplinary artist Shervone Neckles. The topic was of interest to me as an artist, because I had never really tried to wrap my head around what it would mean to prepare for an entire show of my own work (until now I have only participated in group exhibitions, or organized exhibits for other artists). Shervone gave a lovely presentation which touched on everything from research and preparation to organization and execution. What I liked most was that Shervone offered us a very close look at her art and process of creating a cohesive storyline which carries throughout her body of work. She even presented a work-in-progress (and asked us for feedback), a screening an animated film, “Give and Take.” Shervone was super personable, gave a well-organized presentation, and her work also happens to be fantastic (you can check it out at http://shervoneneckles.com/). On a side-note, I have been to a bunch of workshops offered by QCA (which are usually free for members and very affordable otherwise) and they have all been totally worth the while. I highly recommend (even if you don’t live in Queens!). http://www.queenscouncilarts.org/lab/


Next, on April 29th, I attended a sort-of experimental event at New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). It was called Sharing Perspectives: Reporting the impact of art internationally presented jointly by NYFA, Flux Factory and the Node Center as they invited people from the arts community to come together to have some wine and then some conversation. From what I could tell, I believe that the circle was made up mainly of visual artists. There were two specific questions posed: “How do you believe art should function?” and “What is a moment when art challenged your idea of how it should function?” We all broke out into groups to discuss our ideas for a while – it was a smart and spirited conversation. After that, one person from each group got up and reported on what their group came up with. In the end, NYFA Director, David C. Terry thanked us all and said that this was the first of what they hope to be many, expansive, international conversations around art. I was very happy to have been a part of it.


Then, on April 30th, I attended the Afrofuturism Conference 2016 #BLACKISVIRAL, at the New School. I was really interested in this conference since the term Afrofuturism is something of a buzzword that’s been popping up in so many contemporary art spaces over the last couple of years (specifically those that feature art of the African Diaspora). I was curious to see how the organizers of this event (Students of the African Diaspora at the New School) would present (and in some ways also define) this narrative. They actually had a few days worth of events lined up, but unfortunately I was only able to attend one day. In a main lobby area, they had some visual art displayed, a live painter, and even a few vendors selling their wares. I thought that this was a very nice touch in that it created a gathering space for people attending the event to relax in between the presentations. I attended one of the panels, entitled “Screaming into the Void: A Conversation on Presence and Erasure in Black Contemporary Writing” moderated by Gabrielle Octavia Butler with panelists Muna Mire, Safia Elhillo, Zeba Blay and Derica Shields. I had originally wanted to attend something about visual art, but I was more than happy to have ended up here. Myself being a writer of an older generation with a background based in print publishing, I found it fascinating to listen to these women discuss the climate of (professional) contemporary writing for primarily internet-based outlets, with its various plusses and minuses.Here is a link to the whole lineup of events: https://afrofuturism2k16.squarespace.com/


Last but not least, on May 7th, I attended the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Pioneer Works in Red Hook. No offense to anyone who lives in Red Hook… but holy crap. Besides the fact that Red Hook is a far-removed area of Brooklyn, add to the equation that the MTA has been ruining all of our lives with constant (evil) weekend track-work and in the end (from Queens), it took me well over two hours to reach Pioneer Works. I digress! I thought the 1-54 fair was very nicely organized in a bright, not-too-big space, not to mention the lovely back yard with concessions. I must admit that I was expecting more of the galleries represented to have been located in Africa (I believe about five out of 17 were), however, most of them were based in Europe, and some in NYC. In any case, I saw some lovely work by African artists; a few of my personal favorite works were by Aida Muluneh, Beatrice Wanjiku and Omar Victor Diop. I regret that I was not able to make it to any of the Forum panel discussions that were offered. Maybe next year. The 1-54 fair takes place annually in London and in NYC: http://1-54.com/new-york/


Oh and one last thing, after the fair on May 7th, I stopped in to MoCADA in Fort Greene for the opening reception for, Being Here… in Memory, a multifaceted exhibit featuring visual art installation, video and live dance performance curated by Marjani Forté-Saunders. Unfortunately, I arrived too late (again, the MTA’s fault!) to actually see the performance, but I was able to see the art installations, videos and say hello to my favorite couple, the Illustrious Blacks (Manchild and Monstah Black) who were hosting/DJing the party, so it wasn’t all for naught. “Being here… in Memory” runs through July 10th: http://mocada.org/


(To see more art and photos taken at these events, check out my Instagram: @Whippedhoney)

Me, Ify Chiejina, Shervone Neckles and Molaundo Jones at QCA for LAB event.

Sharing Perspectives: Reporting the impact of art internationally at NYFA

Afrofuturism Conference 2016 #BLACKISVIRAL panel Screaming into the Void: A Conversation on Presence and Erasure in Black Contemporary Writing” moderated by Gabrielle Octavia Butler with panelists Muna Mire, Safia Elhillo, Zeba Blay and Derica Shields.

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

“Being Here… in Memory” opening at MoCADA

“Being Here… in Memory” opening at MoCADA

Catching Up on this Artistic Voyage

Something Positive performing at CCCADI's Trade/itions symposium at Aaron Davis Hall.

It's been quite a while since I wrote a real blog entry here. Truth be told, I have been going through some personal stuff which has occupied most of my time and attention. However, I've still managed to find some time to attend and/or participate in a few great events, which I would like to touch on here, as they relate to my Travesia Artistica (Artistic Voyage).

Firstly, a group of us (who originally met at a panel discussion about Cultural Equity at the Queens Council on the Arts last October [QCA]), have been coming together on a monthly basis, as the Steering Committee to create a new artists group in Queens. It's taken us a while to choose an official name, but at this point, it looks like we are leaning towards: Queens Creative Solidarity Network. We are working on our vision and mission statement now, and once it's done, I will surely be posting about our new group and inviting folks to participate! 

Also, the Carribean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) has been planning for their next study-abroad program Community Arts University Without Walls (CAUWW), of which I am an alum. They actually asked me to become an Ambassador, and of course I said yes! So I've helped out by attending two of their Open House sessions to give my first-hand (glowing) account of my experience last summer in Puerto Rico. 

Next, I have been to a number of art exhibitions, but one in particular that I would like to make mention of, is the Essentia exhibit at Taller Boricua (running from January 22nd through March 5th). This exhibition was curated by (a painter whose work I truly admire) Nitza Tufiño (who's a resident at Taller Boricua) and features the work of five fantastic female artists: Ada Pilar Cruz, Helen Evans Ramsaran, Maria Dominquez, Marina Gutierrez and Robin Holder. I went to the opening reception on January 22nd on a freezing cold Friday expecting a slow night, but boy was I wrong! The reception was very well-attended, complete with warm Puerto Rican food, wine and a DJ who got the crowd moving their hips. You can tell that Taller Boricua is a part of a close-knit community - and they know how to throw a party! The work by these five women, by the way, is definitely worth looking in to.

Last but not least, last month, CCCADI had put out that they were planning for a two-day symposium that looked so interesting to me, I was looking forward to it since then. To use their description:

Trade/itions is a two-day symposium event which will explore the points of Orisha intersections through an artistic, activist, and 21st Century lens. Principal demonstrations and social impacts of these global traditions will be shown – through music, dance, panel-dialogue sessions, and through the moving image. Programs and activities have been carefully curated to include expressions and holders of these traditions from throughout the Americas: Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, and the United States.

So yesterday (February 27th) I set out on a long and arduous journey (thanks MTA!) up to Aaron Davis Hall at City College, to attend the all-day series of symposiums, capped off with a concert at night. It was really a glorious day full of positive energy, creativity and power; featuring some really brilliant minds and talented performers.

The symposia were as follows: Dialectical Dialogues and Kongo Konversations: Honoring the 35th Anniversary of Flash of the Spirit with Dr. Robert Farris Thompson; CCCADI Special Tribute: Honoring Iyalorisha Lourdes Lopez, Iyalorisha Amma McKen, Babalorisha John Mason, and Dr. Robert Farris Thompson; and Panel: Orisha as Activist: Recharging Our Purpose, Utilizing Our Power, moderated by Elizabeth Yeampierre and panelists Karla N. Moore, Alex LaSalle, Lumumba Bandele and Dr. Sheriden Booker. Then there was the Evening Performance: Trade/itions: In Honor of Our Orishas with Baba Neil Clarke with Iyesá Drum ensemble, featuring Akpon, Amma McKen; Master Cuban Percussionist, Roman Diaz and Ensemble, and from Trinidad, Something Positive. [There was also a Sunday portion of Trade/itons (which I was unable to attend) featuring a Film Screening Premiere: Yemanja: Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil with a post-film screen panel moderated by Angela Fontanez and panelists Donna Roberts, Paulo Bispo, Amma McKen, and Dr. Cheryl Sterling; and then a Roundtable Discussion: NextGen: Legacy, and Living in Orisha, moderated by Dowoti Desir and panelists Marinieves Alba, Ayanda Clarke, Danny Rodriguez, and Funlayo E. Wood.]

After a long Saturday at Trade/itions there was one sentence that Dr. Robert Farris Thompson said that seemed to burn into my brain... when discussing his book, Aesthetic of the Cool, he said something to the effect of, "No matter how cool you are, there will be a time when you have to activate," use your fire. That gave me a lot to think about and it seemed to fit in with the overall energy and intention of the symposium.

I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to bear witness to each of these amazing events, behold beautiful artwork, meet with interesting people and all the while, learn something new. Until next time!

(To see more photos, goto my Instagram @whippedhoney.)

Curator of Essentia, Nitza Tufiño introducing the featured artists at Taller Boricua.

Opening reception of Essentia at Taller Boricua.

Painting by Maria Dominguez at Essentia exhibit. 

Sculpture by Ada Pilar Cruz at the Essentia exhibit.

Trade/itions symposium - Dialectical Dialogues and Kongo Konversations: Honoring the 35th Anniversary of Flash of the Spirit with Dr. Robert Farris Thompson.

Trade/itions symposium.

Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, founder of CCCADI at Trade/itions symposium.

Trade/itions symposium.

Trade/itions symposium - Panel: Orisha as Activist: Recharging Our Purpose, Utilizing Our Power, moderated by Elizabeth Yeampierre and panelists Karla N. Moore, Alex LaSalle, Lumumba Bandele and Dr. Sheriden Booker.

Trade/itions symposium - In Honor of Our Orishas with Baba Neil Clarke with Iyesá Drum ensemble,  featuring Akpon, Amma McKen.

Community Arts and Cultural Equity in Queens

Group shot at QCA after Cultural Equity discussion.

Being an artist and a resident of Queens, NY for the last eight years or so, I was lucky to come across the Queens Council on the Arts. A few years back, they moved their headquarters to a nice bright space in Astoria. QCA offers lots of great things for artists and arts professionals; such as grant-writing workshops, art labs and other resources and events (I've attended a few of them, like grant-writing and fiscal sponsorship workshops). Recently I received an invitation to attend a panel discussion posing the question, “How Can We Change the Future of Arts and Communities Through Cultural Equity?” This seemed like it would be right up my alley, so I registered for the event on Tuesday, September 29^th. 

The panel was lead by Janice Bond, Cultural Curator and Arts Advocate in Chicago and Jason Tseng, Community Specialist for Fractured Atlas in NYC. I was impressed with how they dove straight in to some hard-to-discuss topics like white privilege, colonial mindsets and language equality – and I thought they did a great job of unpacking it all along with the audience (many of whom participated in the “fish bowl” inclusive discussion). After identifying some of these complicated systems and hurdles that people (in this case, artists) come up against, the room seemed really ripe for more. We wanted to dig deeper and some people were piping up to ask for specific solutions, but our two hours were almost up. So the moderator, Zahida Pirani jumped in and posed an important proposition. She said that she has been thinking about forming an artist leadership network specifically for Queens; and she asked if anyone in the room would be interested in joining the steering committee. I raised my hand, along with a handful of other people in the room and she quickly jotted down our names.

In the end, I don't think it would have even been possible to answer such a big question in one sitting (“How Can We Change the Future of Arts and Communities Through Cultural Equity?"). But I do think that we came away with something huge; a step towards building a network and towards developing more culturally equitable opportunities for artists in Queens and beyond. Since the discussion, a group of us have been communicating and will soon be having or first Queens Artist Steering Committee meeting. I am looking forward to it!