BLACK & WHITE
BLACK & WHITE opened at City Lights on 1/29/15 and was up until 3/19/2015. Art was be done predominately in black & white. Content will address but not be limited to the following:
Racial tensions, that have been exacerbated as a result of the fatal shootings and implementation of force by police against black men
Latent and/overt prejudices at varying degrees due to our personal history… Growing public dialogue and research suggests that many times we are not aware of the prejudices that we have. Although U. S. citizens (black & white) voted a black man into office as President, there is still much dialogue and healing needed. The purpose of this exhibit is to spur dialogue, encourage an exchange of ideas with the sincere pursuit towards harmony, inspired by the teaching of Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Other themes that “Black & White” may relate to are: duality, polarization, contrast, opposites, black + white = grey and all the values in between. A beautiful black and white photograph or an abstract piece in black and white are also possible works for the exhibit.
EXHIBITING ARTISTS INCLUDED: FRANCESCA ANDRE, SUZANNE BENTON, WILL CORPREW, DAVE COELHO, CAMILLE ESKELL, HERM FREEMAN, IYABA IBO MANDINDGO, GERALD SALADYGA, RICK SHAEFER, GORDON SKINNER, NOMI SILVERMAN, GUSTAVO TORRES.
Among the events during the run of the exhibit are an artists’ talk, 2 original performance pieces and a poetry reading.
BLACK & WHITE EVENT CALENDAR:
SATURDAY 2/7/15:
POETRY WORKSHOP: Writer’s Group with Shanna Melton 2-4 p.m.
POETS’ POTLUCK: 5-6:30 p.m. RSVP REQUIRED to clgallerybpt@gmail.com
SATURDAY 2/7/15: unFramed: One man production, written and performed by Iyaba Ibo Mandingo and directed by Brent Buell. View art from 6:30, performance begins at 7:30. “Using canvas, paint, poetry, prose and song, Iyaba tells us a story of his transformation… “Mommy Me No Wanna Go Merrica”- a prophetic piece that hints at the many trials he will face in a new land.”
SAT 2/21/15: POETRY OPEN MIC featuring Writers’ Group New Works, hosted by Shanna Melton
SAT 3/7/15 POETRY WORKSHOP: 2-4 P.M.
SAT 3/7/15 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.: SPOKEN WORD COLLABORATION INTERPRETING THE VISUAL ART OF GORDON SKINNER: Written and performed by Tenesi Davis and Attallah Sheppard, writing and direction by Gordon Skinner.
NEW DATE!
SUN 3/8/15, 4-6 P.M.: ANNUAL ARTISTS’ TALK & CHILI PARTY: Comfort food for the body and food for thought. Suggested donation: $5
Feelings of outrage, polarization, frustration and horror have risen throughout the nation as a result of recent fatal shootings and implementation of force that have exacerbated the ongoing tension between police and black men. Peaceful protests manifested by people of all ethnicities demonstrate the potential for harmony and solidarity among the races and in other cases acts of violence foment the negativity that separates BLACK & WHITE.
Is this issue as simple as Black & White? What responsibilities do media and entertainment industries have to avoid promoting negative stereotypes? Many Americans felt like real progress was made when the country elected a black man into the White House for 2 terms. Current events demonstrate that cases of ongoing injustice still occur. Yet improvements have been made. Laws have been implemented; however the legal system can be manipulated and often works in a biased manner against people of color.
These concerns and events flick the switch on our latent or overt prejudices and fears causing a psychological knee-jerk reaction, perhaps prompting some to take sides depending on the personal history or level of melanin in their skin. We can’t change history but we don’t have to repeat it. Will the wounds caused by suffering, injustices, fear and hatred ever heal? This exhibit is designed to raise awareness and prompt dialogue regarding the unresolved struggle between Black & White.
