Goings On: posted week of November 8, 2006CONTENTS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Sarah East Johnson, FF Alumn, Handstand-a-thon, Brooklyn, Nov 18
2. Barbara Hammer, FF Alumn, at USC, LA, Nov 16, 7 pm
3. Raul Zamudio, FF Alumn, at Gosa Koscielak Gallery, Chicago, opening Nov 11
4. Betty Beaumont at LMCC, NY, thru Nov 25
5. Lillian Ball announces new video installation, Nov 13, 15, 6-8 pm
6. Nora York, FF Alumn, at Joe’s Pub, Nov 16, 7 pm
7. Doug Beube, FF Alumn, at Art Institute of Boston, Nov 16, 4-5 pm
8. Peter Grzybowski, FF Alumn, at FusionArts Museum, NY, Nov 10, 8 pm
9. Joshua Fried, FF Alumn, at Chashama, NY, Nov 11, 8 pm
10. Dread Scott, FF Alumn, at Aljira, Newark, opening Nov 9, and more
11. Benoît Maubrey, FF Alumn, in Taiwan Digital Arts Festival, Nov 10-12
12. Corridor Gallery, Clinton Hill, new exhibition on view thru Dec 16
13. Andrea Cote, FF Member, at Rotunda Gallery, Brooklyn, opening Nov 8
14. Mira Schor, FF Member, in Art Journal, Fall 2006
15. Cheri Gaulke, FF Alumn, at Lake St. Park, LA, Nov 11, 9:30 am
16. 2006 Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at the American Museum of Natural History, Nov 8-12 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
1. Sarah East Johnson, FF Alumn, Handstand-a-thon, Brooklyn, Nov 18
Lava Studio 524 Bergen St. (between 6th Ave and Carlton).
Take 2 or 3 to Bergen St., the B or Q to 7th Ave, or any of the Atlantic Avenue subways.
7pm saturday
November 18th
LAVA’s annual Handstand-a-thon
http://www.lavalove.org
Get pledges for each minute that we, as a community (that means you too), spend with our feet off the floor. The evening will include some short performances, music, beverages, and lots of handstands. Bring your checkbook and your friends: our goal is $3000!
Call 718-399-3161 or email Molly at Chanoff@gmail.com for information on getting a pledge sheet.
A fundraiser for LAVA Studio Student Scholarship Fund
Help us raise money by raising your toes in the air!
Benefitting Brooklyn… One Handstand At a Time!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
2. Barbara Hammer, FF Alumn, at USC, LA, Nov16, 7 pm
Barbara Hammer, FF Alum, Screens LOVER OTHER: The Story of Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, at USC, Los Angeles, Nov. 16 at 7pm. Free and open to the public. Director present. Ron Howard Screening Room @ Robedrt Zemeckis Digital Arts Center (RZC), 3131 S. Figueroa @ 32nd St.
www.barbarahammerfilms.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
3. Raul Zamudio, FF Alumn, at Gosa Koscielak Gallery, Chicago, opening Nov 11
All the World’s a Stage: new paintings, works on paper and sculpture by Emma Mccagg Curated by Raul Zamudio
Gosa Koscielak Gallery, Chicago, IL 1646 N. Bosworth Ave.
Dates: 11.11-12.27.06, opening reception 11.11-6:00-9:00pm
Guy Debord’s Society of the Spectacle, Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Stephen Lambert’s Reality TV; what do these immensely disparate individuals—a cultural theorist, a philosopher, and creator of a TV genre, respectively—and their ideas have in common? They all recognize the thin line between reality and artifice. While it would be shortsighted to assume that Emma McCagg’s solo show titled All the World’s a Stage refers to the collapsing of art into life where actor and audience become one, this new body of work is more concerned in narrating the meltdown of fact and fiction and its social, political and cultural affectation. In her Endless Gossip Column (after Brancusi) (2006), for example, McCagg stacks tabloid journals one on top of each other and configures them into a Brancusi-like sculpture alluded to in the work’s title. This deliberate blurring of high and low culture, where even discourse around this canonical Modernist work is reduced to hearsay and gossip, is also extended in McCagg’s paintngs. These works are constituted from a convergence of pulp journalism and political infomercials that subsequently make it difficult to tell the veracity of one source of information over the other. The individual pieces in the exhibition dovetail on what she construes as a kind of mass cultural schizophrenia manifesting in the contemporary world in a myriad of ways: Reality TV becomes more interesting than life; and chat rooms become virtual stages where people create and discard personas like the rest of us change socks. But the unreality of these endeavors is only made more surreal when the ostensibly unbelievable becomes status quo: an actor becomes president of a nation while his spouse consults an astrologer; a bodybuilder and Hollywood star known for his role as a robot is elected governor of a state; the current First Lady of the White House introduces herself as “a kind of Desperate Housewife;” the author James Frey fabricates his memoirs; and another writer made her name parading around as the destitute, drugged, male trick-turner named J.T. Leroy, but was exposed as a female yuppie who was “slumming” in order to get published. These real-life “scripts’ as humorous as they are, would never be believed as fiction because of their lack of verisimilitude; in life, however, they foreground that indeed all the world is a stage–Raul Zamudio www.raulzamudio.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
4. Betty Beaumont at LMCC, NY, thru November 25
Beaumont – Boxed In/Boxed Out: The Mobile Studio Project
Beaumont has been awarded a grant and exhibition space by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council for the new installation Boxed In/Boxed Out: The Mobile Studio Project at 15 Nassau Street.
Betty Beaumont is an internationally recognized conceptual artist. She has produced artwork in a variety of media including photography, installations, public interventions and new media. A pioneer of the lower Manhattan community, Beaumont first moved to SoHo in 1973 and then to TriBeCa in 1977, along with many of her peers. These artists established a foundation for the cultural meccas of SoHo, Chelsea, and TriBeCa, which eventually became so coveted that the artists are being displaced in favor of tenants who can afford the inflated rents.
Moved to action by her landlord’s threat of eviction, artist Betty Beaumont has begun a digital archiving complete with photographs of her body of work displaced from her TriBeCa studio. Forced to move her works to three separate storage locations Beaumont will continue to perform this work within Boxed In/Boxed Out: The Mobile Studio Project. The archive is presented on a screen viewed through a window in a crate providing a view into the numerous physical components of disassembled projects and installations. This crate is one of many crates and boxes constructed around the physical architecture of the exhibition space, reinforcing the displacement of artists and their work and their workspaces throughout Manhattan. Journals, records and legal documents, some of which are as old as the studio, are displayed inside glass cases at the center of the installation. To see a live webcast of the performance please visit www.lmcc.net.
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Swing Space
15 Nassau St.
At the corner of Nassau and Pine
Take the 2/3, 4/5 to Wall St. or the J/M/Z, A/C to Fulton St., Broadway/Nassau
October 26 – November 25
The archiving performance may be viewed through the windows of the space, 10am – 6pm, Tues – Sat, and in a live webcast at www.lmcc.net, for the length of the exhibition.
The space will be open to the public, 12 – 2pm, Tues – Sat
Public forums will be held:
Mon, Oct 30 & Mon, Nov 6, 6:30-8 pm and Tues, Nov 21, 6:30-9
For a recorded webcast of the public forums, please visit www.lmcc.net and click Swing Space: Boxed In / Boxed Out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
5. Lillian Ball announces new video installation, November 13, 15, 6-8 pm
GO ECO
An interactive video installation about wetland preservation, based on the ancient Asian game of Go.
Stop by to play and help test the new beta version of the game
Monday, November 13th and Wednesday, the 15th from 6-8 PM
Excerpted from “Just Push Play”-Plenty Magazine Sept 2006 – article on environmental video games
Though serious eco-games of this sophistication aren’t common, a few other developers have realized that students aren’t the only ones who can learn from them. When New York artist Lillian Ball heard that the Great Ponds Wetlands in Southold, Long Island, was threatened by development, she created GO ECO, an interactive game in which players must collaborate to protect it. One goal of the game is to help people understand points of view different from their own, Ball says. Though she has no plans to commercialize it, she’s bringing GO ECO to art exhibitions and other venues to inform citizens about the wetlands, and to demonstrate how it has stimulated and even enhanced discussions among opposing groups. Motivating people to take action is a real challenge, and it’s one of the best things a game can do, says Ben Stokes from Games for Change.
Up to 5 players can participate at a time. Please RSVP to ballstudio@thing.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
6. Nora York, FF Alumn, at Joe’s Pub, Nov 16, 7 pm
NORA YORK
TO PERFORM A NEW CONCERT WORK
FURTIVA LAGRIMA (secret tears)
Furtiva Lagrima expands York’s past exploration of diverse genres of American music into opera, a 400-year old musical tradition.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16th 7pm
At
JOE’S PUB at The Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street NYC
http://www.joespub.com
TICKETS: 20 Dollars
By Phone : 212-967 7555
TABLE RESERVATIONS: 212-539-8778
Furtiva Lagrima (Secret Tears) is singer composer Nora York’s personalized embrace of classical operatic repertoire. Using musical overlay and collage York explores the multiple facets of chosen operatic standards to find their emotional and thematic core. The consonance and dissonance arising from juxtaposing diversity of musical genres draws the audience into a fresh experience of the familiar material.
The classical and pop repertoires are illuminated through the creative encounters that take place between her ensemble which is comprised of both types of players
Featuring
Kevin Burdette, bass singer from City Opera
and
Andrew Schwartz on bassoon.
Along with key members
From York’s Amazing band:
Jamie Lawrence harmonium
Dave Hofstra bass
Steve Tarshis guitar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
7. Doug Beube, FF Alumn, at Art Institute of Boston, Nov 16, 4-5 pm
November 15 — December 22, 2006
Thursday, November 16
4–5pm — Gallery talk with curator Deborah Davidson and participating artist Doug Beube
5–7pm — Reception
A book is an object of possibility.
The artists in this exhibition are interested in exploring and challenging the conventional notion of what a book is and how it reveals itself. They are all fascinated by the book as an object and also have the audacity to challenge its meaning by exploiting the possibilities inherent in its shape and content. These unusually scaled book objects embrace the book in terms of content and form, but go beyond it by subverting traditional structures. They explore what is contained — narrative, ideas, images, text, and simultaneously the container itself. Thus the space inhabited by these works demand and engage the viewer/ reader to reexamine their own notions of what a book can be.
Deborah Davidson
The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
700 Beacon Street , Kenmore Square, Boston
Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday 9am–6pm | Sunday 12–5pm
For more information: 617.585.6600
Doug Beube
Long-Bin Chen
Byron Clercx
Guy Laramee
Liz Mitchell
Tara O’Brien
Sarah Hollis Perry
Exploding |Exploiting the Book
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
8. Peter Grzybowski, FF Alumn, at FusionArts Museum, NY, Nov 10, 8 pm
Kesher 3
Performance Art Event in New York curated by Peter Grzybowski and Shalom
FusionArts Museum
57 Stanton Street, New York
212 995 5290
*
Friday, November 10, 2006, 8 PM
*
Performances:
Dariusz Fodczuk – Poland, Milan Kohout – Boston, Milan Kozelka – Czech Republic,
Sandra Schaefer – Boston, Yoyo Yogasmana – Indonesia
Video:
Peter Grzybowski – New York, Shalom – New, York
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
9. Joshua Fried, FF Alumn, at Chashama, NY, Nov 11, 8 pm
shoes, steering wheel, boombox, laptop, turning live radio into recombinant funk
RADIO WONDERLAND live in NYC!
Sat 11 Nov 2006 8pm
From Joshua Fried–remixer, performance artist and the youngest composer in Schirmer’s American Music in the 20th Century
Chashama, Times Square
112 West 44th St
New York, NY 10001
FREE — invitation only!
you MUST RSVP (by replying; I’ll do the rest)
RADIO WONDERLAND- the media-mashing multi-metric high-concept hi-lo-tech object-theater spaced-out booty-shaking new music dance band with short film festival presented by multimedia rock band Jigsaw Soul.
This invitation only show/festival is expected to be completely reserved in advance, so do RSVP by replying.
Thanks for reading.
Joshua Fried
http://radiowonderland.org
Don’t forget–“Morning Drive Time”
RADIO WONDERLAND Live Every Wednesday
free103point9 Online Radio
http://free103point9.org/
Wednesday mornings
9:00am Eastern Time, 14:00 UTC (or GMT/Zulu) time
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
10. Dread Scott, FF Alumn, at Aljira, Newark, opening Nov 9, and more
Dear friends,
I have work in a badass show opening next week in the NY/NJ area. It’s with Robert Pruitt (you may have caught his work in the Whit Biennal this year—solo and with Otabenga Jones & Assoc.— bringing the revolutionary edge of the Black Panthers into the artworld) and Jerry Gant (if you don’t know him yet, you will). I’m showing some fresh new work, never seen before, some very old work which hasn’t been show in over a decade and a few recent prints. If you are in town, I hope to see you at the opening or the artists talk. Upcoming shows noted as well.
Best,
Dread
http://dreadscott.home.mindspring.com/index.html
OPENING
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
Aljira: a Center for Contemporary Art
“…But I was Cool”
November 9, 2006-January 27, 2007
Opening reception Nov. 9, 2006 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Exhibition with Jerry Gant, Robert Pruitt and Dread Scott
Panel Discussion with the artists Sunday Nov 12, Noon
Artists Talk Nov. 12, 2006 12 noon – 2:00 PM
Aljira
591 Broad St.
Newark, NJ 07102
Tel. (973)622-1600
http://www.aljira.org
http://planethiphop.org/
ONGOING
SHAFER, MINNESOTA (near Taylors Falls outside of Minneapolis/St. Paul)
Franconia Sculpture Park
July 2006 – Summer 2007
Literal Biblical Horror on view. The work is a phantasm that envisions the punishment and death repeatedly called for in the bible and which would be mandated by a literal and fundamentalist application of it. To see documentation: http://dreadscott.home.mindspring.com/
Franconia Sculpture Park
29815 Unity Avenue
Shafer, MN 55074
Phone/Fax: 651.465.3701
Info@franconia.org
http://franconia.org/about.html
UPCOMING
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Flatfile Gallery
Dread Scott & Fred Holland
January/February 2007
PLYMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE
January/Frbruary, 2007
Karl Drerup Art Gallery, Plymouth State University
SOL’SAX and Dread Scott: Life, Liberty and Pursuit…
Web: http://www.plymouth.edu/gallery/2006-07/solsax.html
Artists lecture February, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
11. Benoît Maubrey, FF Alumn, in Taiwan Digital Arts Festival, Nov 10-12
Come join us at the Taiwan Digital Arts Festival from Nov 10-12 2006
more infos : http://www.dac.tw/daf06/main-e.html
Yours,
Benoit
Benoît Maubrey / DIE AUDIO GRUPPE
Baitz, Bahnhofstr.47, 14822 Brück Germany
tel: +49(0)33841-8265
fax +49(0)33841-33121
e-mail: maubrey@snafu.de
http://www.audioballerinas.com
http://www.snafu.de/~maubrey
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
12. Corridor Gallery, Clinton Hill, new exhibition on view thru Dec 16
Dear Friends,
You are all invited to join us. Please feel free to invite your friends and neighbors. We look forward to seeing you at Corridor Gallery!
All the best,
Meridith
Corridor Gallery, 334 Grand Avenue in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, presents Optical Perception , an exhibition of paintings, collage, and sculpture and installation by four contemporary artists. The exhibition is on view until December 16, 2006.
The online encyclopedia Wikipedia describes Visual Perception as the end product of vision, consisting of the ability to detect light and interpret (see) the consequences of light stimuli. The resulting perception is known as eyesight, sight or vision. On some level all of the artists included in Visual Perception have roots in Op Art, the mathematically based visually mystifying work popular in the early 1960’s. The works on view are certainly painstakingly done, and play tricks with the eye, yet this work is all very fresh and of our time.
Patricia Chaplin’s expertly painted canvases seem to undulate and swirl as the viewer peers closely s/he will begin to identify recognizable figures – a horse, a face, a mask, a fish, a dancer. But these figures inhabit the world of the artists canvas alone.
Ray Gibbon creates usable works of art — clever wooden fabric-lined boxes with hidden drawers and lids covered in a brilliant array of brilliantly colored geometric forms. Just slightly bigger than a shoe box, Gibbon’s pieces are whimsical and engaging.
Gilbert Hsiao explains his work “is closely tied to the exploration of visual perception. This was not a conscious choice on my part, but something which naturally evolved over time; an unconscious product of an underlying desire to create visual compositions connected to my interest in music.”
Don Rodriguez had spent many years as a graphic designer. On view are a range of mixed media pieces including early watercolor studies inspired by rug patterns as well as wall relief’s created with bits of nautical ropes and such innocuous materials as foil stars.
Please join the artists along with curators Meridith McNeal and Danny Simmons on Saturday November 18 4-5pm for a panel discussion for a discussion about the works on view. This event is free to the public, limited seating on a first come, first serve basis. Parties over 6 please call 718- 230-5002 to make a reservation.
Corridor Gallery, 334 Grand Avenue (between Greene and Gates Avenues) in Brooklyn is a community-based gallery serving Brooklyn residents and artists, with a primary focus on artists and audience development. Founded and run by artist Danny Simmons, this community resource presents five exhibitions each year with frequent public programs. Corridor Gallery serves as the base for the Education Programs of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. Gallery hours are Saturday noon to 6:00 p.m. and by appointment 718-230-5002.
Located on the Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, Danny Simmons Corridor Gallery is easily accessible by public transportation. It is a short walk from the G train to Classon Avenue or the C train to Clinton/Washington Station.
Corridor Gallery is a project of The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation which is dedicated to providing disadvantaged urban youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, as well as providing exhibition opportunities to underrepresented artists and artists of color. A 501(C)3 organization, Rush Philanthropic fulfills its mission through three core programs: community grants, exhibitions and education programs. The organization was founded in 1995 by brothers Russell, Danny and Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons. www.rushphilanthropic.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
13. Andrea Cote, FF Member, at Rotunda Gallery, Brooklyn, opening Nov. 8
Andrea Cote, FF Member, Video Installation in RADIANT at Rotunda Gallery, Nov 8-Dec 22
I will be presenting the 2 channel video installation, “Dialogue”, a performaive and psychological piece that explores the conflicting emotional states experienced in relation to one’s self.
“RADIANT: Selections from the Rotunda Gallery/BCAT Multimedia Residency, 10th Anniversary Exhibition”
November 8-December 22
Opening Wednesday, November 8, 7-9pm
The Rotunda Gallery
33 Clinton St , Brooklyn, NY
Open Tues-Sat 12-6 pm
www.brooklynx.org/rotunda
www.andreaspace.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
14. Mira Schor, FF Member, in Art Journal, Fall 2006
The speeding language of terror information is the subject of Mira Schor: WarCrawl, a site specific painterly / textual intervention in the current Fall 2006 issue of Art Journal.
Art Journal is published by the College Art Association. Copies of the Fall 2006 Art Journal can be ordered directly from the CAA. Please contact Anitra Haendel ahaendel@collegeart.org for information about receiving a courtesy member’s discount for this issue ($20).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
15. Cheri Gaulke, FF Alumn, at Lake St. Park, LA, Nov 11, 9:30 am
Dear friends,
After the culmination of a few years work, I am thrilled to invite you to the unveiling and dedication of a Filipino World War II Veterans Memorial
a new public art work by
Cheri Gaulke
Veterans Day, Sat., Nov. 11, 2006, 9:30 am
Lake Street Park in Historic Filipinotown
227 N. Lake Street , Los Angeles
(1 block west of Alvarado and 1 block north of Beverly Blvd.)
Project Description: The project memorializes the brave men of the Philippines who fought side-by-side with American soldiers during WWII, and commemorates the fight to gain recognition from the US government as war veterans in the service to the United States. Five large black granite monoliths rise from the ground and two granite benches allow viewers to sit in meditation before them. Engraved onto the face of the monoliths are photographs and text that succinctly tell the story of these veterans’ many sacrifices for the United States. Included in the images is a map of the Philippines denoting significant sites. Key words are etched in English and Tagalog in the memorial.
In 1990, a federal law was passed awarding citizenship to Filipinos who had fought on the side of the US in WWII. The legislation, however, did not consider veteran’s benefits. In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan, President George W. Bush and the US Congress are being asked to support new legislation that would extend full and equitable benefits to the veterans. This memorial makes a statement of support for these efforts.
The memorial was commissioned by City Council President Eric Garcetti and is made possible by a Community Development Block Grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Community Development Department of the City of Los Angeles and the Neimann Properties Arts Development Fee commitment through the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of LA.
Art Consultant: Lesley Elwood and Associates
Project Manager: Joseph Bernardo, CD13
Additional Support: Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), Dept. of Recreation and Parks, Dept. of Cultural Affairs, City Council District 13, City of Los Angeles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
16. 2006 Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at the American Museum of Natural History, Nov 8-12
Dear Friends,
We are proud to present the 2006 Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival at the American Museum of Natural History! We hope you can join us November 8th 12th as the festival celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
The longest running showcase for international documentaries in the United States, it encompasses a broad spectrum of work from indigenous community media to experimental non-fiction. The Festival is distinguished by its outstanding selection of titles, which tackle diverse and challenging subjects and by its forums for discussion with filmmakers and speakers.
Please visit visit www.amnh.org/mead for complete festival schedule and ticketing information.
Festival Highlights:
OPENING NIGHT
“Doc”
Wednesday, November 8
7:00 p.m., Program F1
Immy Humes. 2006. Video. 57 min. (Work in progress)
Before mental illness shattered his promising life, Harold Louis (“Doc”) Humes co-founded The Paris Review (with Peter Matthiessen and George Plimpton), wrote two novels, directed an underground film, and designed prefabricated paper houses for the poor. He was an integral part of the 1950’s New York City intellectual scene, a 60’s free-speech militant, and a 70’s visionary crazy genius. His filmmaker daughter, Immy Humes, recounts her father’s extraordinary life through fascinating stories, archival films, and audio recordings, and brings to life three vibrant decades of American cultural history. Timothy Leary, Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, the F.B.I., and the C.I.A are all featured in this unsentimental portrait of a man and his times. Discussion, performance, and panel with director Immy Humes, musician and Beat generation ambassador David Amram, and others.
CLOSING NIGHT
Right to Return/Pioneers
Sunday, November 12
7:00 p.m., Program F20
Jonathan Demme, Daniel Wolff, and Abdul Franklin. (Work in progress) Right to Return/Pioneers is a powerful project about the changing human ecology of some of the New Orleans neighborhoods worst hit by the floods that followed Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It features the pioneering individuals and families who have chosen to exercise their self-granted “right to return” to their devastated homes in an effort to rebuild their lives. Discussion with filmmakers and special guests, plus special performance by New Orleans jazz musicians.
Focus on Bonnie Sherr Klein
The Mead Festival spotlights the work of author and award-winning filmmaker Bonnie Sherr Klein, who gained international acclaim as a member of Challenge for Change and Studio D, the Women¹s Unit of the National Film Board of Canada, where she directed the groundbreaking films Not a Love Story: A Film About Pornography (Program F3), and Speaking Our Peace: A Film about Women, Peace, and Power. SHAMELESS: The ART of Disability (Program F19) marks her return to filmmaking after a nearly two-decade absence due to a disabling stroke. The U.S. premiere of SHAMELESS will be followed by a community discussion led by Bonnie Sherr Klein and Simi Linton, director of the New York-based Disability/Arts organization. Moreover, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the infamous documentary Not a Love Story. The screening will include a discussion with the filmmaker.
Inside China
This year’s festival features three very different films that focus on the many issues facing China, from the effort to maintain traditional practices to realities of globalization and the AIDS crisis. Micha X. Peled’s China Blue (Program F2) provides unparalleled access to both the top and bottom levels of a blue jeans factory in Sichuan province; Ruby Yang’s The Blood of Yingzhou District (Program F21) traces a year in the life of children who have lost their parents to AIDS; and Yang Rui’s The Bimo Records (Program F14) depicts the disappearing traditions of Bimo clergy among the Yi people.
Games for Change
Video games have come of age, having surpassed Hollywood box-office revenues for the third year in a row. The games featured in this special session have a relationship to documentary filmmaking because of their emphasis on social and political issues. This program features demos of the following games: Ayiti: The Cost of Life, Darfur is Dying, A Force More Powerful, and Tropical America, and will be introduced and moderated by Suzanne Seggerman and Benjamin Stokes from Games for Change. (Program F15).
Hip-Hop Field Report
Hip-hop culture has become synonymous with youth culture and plays a significant economic role in the political and entertainment markets throughout the world. This program, guest curated by Erika Dalya Muhammad, is conceptualized as a field report of the culture’s influence on pop trends. This selection of videos pays tribute to the culture’s dominant aesthetic. Presented in collaboration with the Mount Vernon Hip-Hop Arts Center and Muhammad’s Hip-Hop Arts Initiative, the program features: Roots, BLING: Consequences and Repercussions, and Sneakers. (Program F8)
Post-Katrina
This year, the Festival showcases the work of some of America’s leading filmmakers who have tried to make sense of the tragedy by seeking out the details behind the headlines. The Festival presents, in marathon fashion, Spike Lee’s four-hour documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (Programs F10 & F11). A powerful chorus of witnesses, cutting across racial and class lines, contemplate the uncertain future of the Lower Ninth Ward. Jonathan Demme and his collaborators, Daniel Wolff and Abdul Franklin, also initiated a project that will present a year long record of the human ecology of the New Orleans region. This Closing Night presentation features clips from Right to Return/Pioneers, a work in progress (Program F20). It focuses on
the courageous citizens who suffered through this calamitous natural and then political event and who are now working to restore their homes and communities. This year’s post-Katrina programs help to celebrate their spirit.
Ticketing information and full festival schedule available at www.amnh.org/mead
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOP
Goings On is compiled weekly by Harley Spiller
~~end~~
click http://www.franklinfurnace.org/goings_on.html
to visit ‘This Month’s World Wide Events’.
—————————————–
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or for information
send an email to info@franklinfurnace.org
—————————————–
Franklin Furnace Archive, Inc.
80 Arts – The James E. Davis Arts Building
80 Hanson Place #301
Brooklyn NY 11217-1506 U.S.A.
Tel: 718-398-7255
Fax: 718-398-7256
http://www.franklinfurnace.org
mail@franklinfurnace.org
Martha Wilson, Founding Director
Michael Katchen, Senior Archivist
Harley Spiller, Administrator
Dolores Zorreguieta, Program Coordinator
