A Letter to Rachel Dolezal

Dear Rachel Dolezal,

As I have posted online countless times, I will offer again, in such times, my deferral to the inimitable James Baldwin:

"White is a state of mind" baby!

Meaning, as I'm sure you know, - RACE is a state of mind.  I am not mad you lady; confused by you, but not mad at you.  So you wanted
to be ME, and play a black woman in this world.  Okay.  You certainly could have chosen easier ways to practice your vocational work in civil rights and liberties efforts, an easier way to do the job as it were.  And from what I understand, you've been doing a great job, which you were not given due to any privileges.  So, this matter is a personal one then.  As far as I see it, you have not hurt the cause, or my cause, nor created any potholes in my lawn.  In fact, you may have helped in some indirect odd way.  Who woulda thunk it - a blondie that supposedly gentlemen prefer now wants to be ME!! Well I'll be.

As far as your identity issues, well - keep exploring. If most of us dig deep enough - we can relate.  After all, we are ONE right? And this is the journey we're all on really...to move from the illusive self...to an integrated self. Just keep it honest would be my only advice. People get really upset about lying you see.

And don't you agree that we should get back to the real business at hand - like flooding platforms with vehement comments and the streets with urgent cries on picket signs about the dire humanitarian crisis that is going on at the DR/Haitian border AS WE SPEAK?!  You know - that racial cleansing, stateless sanctioning, reverse forced exodus of a people just a few miles south - the Palestine of the Western Hemisphere dare I be so harsh???!!! 

I know, I know, Facebook needs this fodder, and those TV appearances and book deals are flooding in, soon to buff your bank account, but aren't you just itching to get to get back to some real work here for the true effective betterment of our black brothers and sisters?  Yeah, me too.

To the cause!! And let the forum of idle chatter scatter you transracial poster child you! But I won't call you a bad mamma-Jenner though. Nope. Don't see the connection.

Oh and nice tan and perm by the way - fooled us all, but - it cost us nothing, so over and out.

~  Sincerely from the Monuments of MLK

"If we are to have peace on Earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional.  Our loyalties must transcend
our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective."

Berette Macaulay

BRANDED featured...

 The Wall Breakers - a blog space dedicated to the arts featured my project BRANDED... therefore I AM last month, and it was really educational to see how they marketed the post.  Far clearer than anything I've said about the work - they simply stated:  "What the world would be like if facebook status updates were tattoos."  Better right?  I've tried my hand at marketing but I really must admit I'm a bit too prose-y to be effective.  It's another art form really. 

That said - it's interesting to see that the impetus of the work itself has only increased in relevance.  What James Scully on Wall Breakers had to say on the subject, as well as other images and news feeds addressing the same are pinching me into opening this work up again.  

Within a few days I shared quite the relevant graffiti tag on my Tumblr Blog  which aggressive though it may be, addresses quite directly how this generation is reacting to social media.  Now we live with such wide acceptance of this conditioning where the whole concept of privacy, or the value of solitude is not only misunderstood, but unfortunately undervalued.  We're seeing a counter-cultural push back.  The unique and fascinating, near deviant individual is the one who dares live off this grid.  We all have at least one or two in our lives don't we? And sometimes we harbour secret admiration for them - especially when they exhibit signs of balance, calm, time management, and regular inclusion of activities in their lives.  Yes...join the binary the dots. 

In a recent article on the #BBC, Facebook 'likes' predict personality, shows that beyond the power engine of the LiKe click, are the secrets to who we really are.  I think algorithms may slap us soon with real statistical numbers on how utterly unengaged and thus lonely we've become - because apparently instincts and behavioural signals stopped being reliable sources of information a while ago.  Sigh.


OTHER RELATED BBC Links:

Facebook changes privacy settings

Privacy groups call for Facebook changes U-turn (and that viral copyright hoax...)

 

RELATED JOURNEY LINKS: 

Social Web Divisions??? (July 2012)

Face Lift Off: Leaving My Facebook Mask(erade) Behind (April 2012) 

Prick the 'filter bubbles'(May 2011)

Some talk about a new project ...'BRANDED' (May 2010)

 

 

Social Web Divisions???

I just love the endlessness of social studies on social website behaviours here in the US and around the world.  

Though I started my own work observations on this back in 2010 - I imagine that this work will continue on.  I try to read up on any new findings about how our online actions either mimic or override real life social mores and norms.

The BBC recently posted this on their site:  

Is the social web divided by race?

It's an interesting short read and video on how the different races appear to be statistically clustering to certain social sites on the internet.  Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr are featured - making Facebook glaringly absent...  Hmmm....

Check it out!

 

 

 

RELATED JOURNEY POSTS: 

Next SeBiArt Show in Miami + first time Art Basel Visit (Nov 2011)

With an apathetic (or jaded) audience you must "Slow Jam The News"

God bless this country.  See this is what I was talking about a couple years ago. Who is to blame here - the media, or us?   Why...WHY is it that we live in such times where our public servants (ie. politicians) have to resort to such gimmicks to make us care about the state of our nation? 

That said - it was kinda funny...lol

[Barack Obama on Late Night with Jimmy Falon]

Face Lift Off: Leaving My Facebook Mask(erade) Behind

Well oops - the researcher became the subject as it were! 

I woke up one day and realized that I start and end my days with Facebook.  That I carried it with me in my handbag (ie. my phone).  That I was never really OFF the damn thing!  

Well - actually a few things shook me awake - like some very real world experiences that proved my early observations that folks take Facebook WAY too seriously - assuming all representations of their lives there equate reality; that validity is gained there first.  Concurrent with this were a couple of rude awakenings of very aggressive behaviours and presumptuous expectations from  virtual strangers - 'virtual' being the operative word here. 

Facebook and the like (no pun) have never been more for me than sites to promote  professional efforts, to communicate with  supporters in a personable way, to have fun exchanging written banter on shared interests with friends and acquaintances, and to exchange links + fotos with my peeps/REAL members of my physical life.  (Ironically less exchanges actually happen with my physical-world friends on these platforms - perhaps because we have 'reality' - lol).  I guess in short, FB is like an interactive address book, bookmark keeper, and calendar that makes us all appear to have great memories when it comes to birthdays (come on - birthdays on Facebook rock! lol), or far more active lives by virtue of the 'LiKes' and links we share! 

But somewhere in between my sociological/artistic observation and research of this for my project BRANDED... and me being a participant, I engaged in some of the very same behaviours I was analyzing in others.  I remained fiercely private about matters that don't belong there, and never attacked anyone, but around mid Summer of last year I started spending an inordinate number of hours on that thing! I started needing that interaction for ego strokes, a good laugh at stupid jokes (fun times! sigh...), stimulating conversations/debates at a 'safe' distance, blah blah blah.  I also justified this in the name of promotional necessity for my work.   

The first important statistical fact that bubbled to the surface and smacked my face in was the fact that I wasn't really promoting that much - save for a show post here and there, or appeal to 'LiKe' my page...(eye roll).  Further, I felt I was running out of things to promote.  I spent hours here, thus reducing the amount of free time I had for the life I was investing in before, like writing on this blog for instance; creating more photograpahic or collaborative projects; teaching art with orgs I support; writing proposal submissions for my work; soliciting paying jobs...etc.  Though I have met or reunited with a number of great souls and characters there, the bottom line is that much time spent on FB has not resulted in any appreciable improvement to my physical work process as an artist, nor has it resulted in increased commissions and sales for my work.  Not the way all real life and blogger interractions do.  It's like high school where one will forego doing homework so you can play in the right circles for popularity points.  Who wants to miss the next viral post that proves you being current?!  The number one procrastination tool confessed to by millions is Facebook! Wow.  All I'm saying is like all things, there needs to be

...b a l a n c e.  Of course this is obvious  - as I've continually examined here on this journey blog.  But to wake up inside this particular belly as it were has been a bit stinky and I wear this stink with a bit of embarrassment too, hence my need write it all out here. I believe if we cover up, hide, or 'front' - the beast wins.  So...

...the most liberating thing was to decide to take a break from that amoebic blue world beast - at least for a little while - lol.

A friend of mine, Jimmy, who does this often always referred to Facebook as a country - "sometimes I fly in, visit loved ones - hang out in new spots, meet a couple folks, and then I return home".  

And so I've posted this on Facebook and flown home. I've set up my bathroom darkroom and spent hours doing pinhole photography. Sweet liberation to be shared in subsequent posts.

APRIL 27, 2012:

Not that this is MaJoR news yeah,  but I've been told that without prior warning of FB sabbaticals some folks might create the wrong ideas when they suddenly see a 'friend' disappear. 

So...I'm checking out temporarily from MAY 1st to JULY. 

I confess that I have fallen into the FB addiction trap - woke up one day a realized this place is getting more of my time than my actual work is.  I know - such an unusual observation right?!!!   Well I like being on top of  my creative work and blogging about that, and other such pass-times as old-fashioned emails, phone calls, yoga, chocolate, cheese shopping, etc.  I need to plug out of this and plug deep into feeding my soul. :)

I expect I'll see many of you in REAL life, and on other spots like ...twitter  (so far that'll stay up tho I still have NO idea how that thing really works...).  But yah - May 1st (that's Tuesday) FB gets the boot for bit... will play til then. :)

One Love Munchkins and Happy Weekend!

B

A fellow Facebooker who thought it a good idea to do the same - photographer Jim Northorp:
  Cyber-Celibacy Facebook No Mo?

RELATED POSTS:
-Some talk about a new project...'BRANDED' (Oct 2010)
-Awakening in the Illusion (Sept 2010)
-Apathy as Peace of Mind? (April 2010)

SeBiArt at Bookophilia

Hey guys - super quick post to let you know I have work up at this cool bookstore in Kingston, Bookophilia from now through June.

You know I'm into community/art/edu programs and so I've committed proceeds of all sales to go to two organisations I support in Jamaica.  

One you've heard about here before, Studio 174 is run by Rozi Chung (hey that rhymed!! haha).  It's located on Water Street, downtown Kingston, and the art and educational programs there are provided for free to inner city children in need.  Many of the art workshops are focused on community beautification mural projects that also serve to improve the face of downtown Kingston.  S174 is in partnership with INSCAPE Foundation - an organization providing free clinical psych and art therapies to inner city citizens in stress.  

Rozi Chung(left) with S174 students, and Dr. Tammy Haynes of INSCAPE (far right blue shirt)

S174 studio workshops and exhibition space

I was recently introduced to yet another really great organization on my recent trip to Jamaica.  Run by Roslyn Ellison, Trenchtown Reading Center is now nearly 20 years old.  It's located in the heart of Bob Marley's old home town and has on offer free classes, reading and music sessions, and the most AMAZING library for the children of Trenchtown to enjoy.  

 

TTRC kids

Roslyn Ellison with TTRC kids

Proceeds from sales of my pieces at Bookophilia will go to both Studio 174 and Trenchtown Reading Center.  Please drop by if you are on the island, or pass the word around.  Thanks so much.

RELATED JOURNEY POSTS:

Jamrock Talk, Jamrock Walk (Oct 2011)

BIG PICTURE fun on the Rock (March 2011)

Adopted Yank and iPad Published

Two quick bits of change folks:

1)  I'm officially a Yankee -  I was adopted by the United States of America as of Dec 13, 2011 at 10:20 hours.  Should be interesting coming up with a new acronym of identity now along with all the other nations I claim - haha!!  JABAG???

2)  Some of you may have heard already,  but here it is again, I have a new article featured in an iPad App Magazine, Small Talk.   

I was commissioned to write a feature length article on Fuerza Bruta in the late fall for their 4 year anniversary, complete with photos and video, titled:  The Spirit Dreams When You Look Up.   

    

that's my shot from Fuerza Bruta on the iTunes page!  YeeHAW!

So if you have an iPad, ...which funny enough I don't...lol - please check it out by either purchasing the current issue (only $2.99!!), OR, just subscribing for the year on iTunes (just $19.99).   It's a great mag covering arts, entertainment, and culture world wide and I will be working with them on upcoming issues, so hop on it! 

Direct Link:  Small Talk Magazine on iTunes

A Year of Collective Paradigm Shifts: Mind, World Body, and Soul...

I am grateful to be ringing in the New Year in a place where I am afforded a couple extra hours to reflect.  As we cross the threshold of 2011 to 2012, there are a few feelings about this shift - the most popular being:  GOOD RIDDANCE!   I will second that; but I also give big thanks.   

This life is a fascinating journey, and as many of you have come to know, is the main focus of this blog.  Though this year marked the end of my 'sabbatical' that I went on about for a couple of years, it ended up being one of the most dense to date.  So personal, painful, joyful, and intense were the paradigm shifts that I often felt too overwhelmed by the experiences to even blog about it - hence the significant lack of soulful and investigative posts this year.   

I met and connected with scores of new souls, each of whom touched and moved and lifted me in ways I can scarcely recall in years past.  I think it had much to do with being more open myself.  When terrifying events in life come to test our characters, or the resilience of our hearts, it's truly the tribes we have formed around us that keep us reaching higher.  And this year was high.  If there was any moment to question the oddity of serendipitous or seemingly coincidentally unlucky events, all one had to do was truly listen to the tale of another, or turn on the BBC news to truly feel connected to something bigger. I can't remember any time of worldwide uproars such as what we witnessed this year - so much so that TIME magazine name The Protestor the person of the year!  To feel this connection is to be charged by it, whatever the circumstances or prior held convictions.  The pulse of our world this year insisted on truth, equality, openness, second chances; it demanded a rebirth of ONE spirit, in friendships, business alliances, communities, and nations.  

As I prepare to look back while stepping forward, I will set my focus on the very long list of things I have to be grateful for this year; my new friendships and the evolution of old ones,  my accomplishments with my creative work, my freedom to travel, and my deeper understanding and connection with my family. And all this despite the very real and frightening challenges I faced regarding all of the above since Jan 1st, 2011.  

Perhaps the thing I am most grateful for is in ending the year in integrity.  I have no hang ups about how I have related to the world - and I can't truly say that about any other year.  I got comfortable enough in my humanity this year to be myself, to stand my ground, and to offer understanding, patience, truth, and love, where ever and whenever I could - and I'm incapable of accounting for the worth of such a gift.     

I've always been one to insist on focusing on gratitude - as it's the only way to see what you have to work with rather than to live in lack.  It's the only way you will feel abundant enough to help someone else. It is the only way you will feel whole enough to forgive others, or to offer true understanding and compassion. True gratitude will keep fear away, and keep you honest.  It's the only way to love your life, to love yourself, and to love your fellow human - who is just as challenged in navigating this journey as you are.  

Happy New Year folks - May you cross into 2012 with an open heart charged with courage to soar ever higher.  Know what you deserve, and dare to manifest it all, and do it with love.   

Next SeBiArt Show in Miami + first time Art Basel Visit

First to my US of A readers:

 ...and be careful on Black Friday guys - I somehow doubt all those deals are real...or will remain real after 6am. Like I heard someone say - those shopping 'deals' will be around next week too, so if you have the day off, sleep in.  Shop later.  Hahaha!

Okay folks - so here it is - news of the next.  I'm so excited; so stressed; so overwhelmed with gratitude. And so UNDER the PRESSURE to kick ass at this show people!!  I've never been to Art Basel Miami Beach week and I'm pleased to announce that thanks to my beloved Art for Progress, I will have my first experience as an exhibited artist.  AFP is presenting 15 of their artists at the Fountain Arts Fair during Basel week from Dec 1st - 4th.  

white box frame for the pieces - sample for Herman

In preparing for this show, I've been tested in every exercise of faith, and come through  victoriously with unquantifiable and indefatigable support from a number of people. First off my patrons* who made donations to this effort thereby enabling me to meet the cost of participating in the show. And to my family - wow do I come from a seriously supportive family.  

I decided to support the local economy of my beloved Jamaica by having the pieces printed by master Jamaican photogs Franz Marzouca and Jeremy Francis, and to have them framed by Herman van Asbroek of Amaicraft (both located in The Trade Center, Red Hills Rd, Kingston, Jamaica).  These guys have handled my work superbly for previous shows, and since I was doing this essentially in the dark (from New York), it just made sense that I do so with familiar guides.  And no matter the preparatory choices for this, shipping my art was an unavoidable part of the process - perhaps the most frightening part of all.  I just confirmed today however that the pieces arrived safely. YeeeeHAW!!!  Thanks Bernadine, Marjorie, and Carmalita!

After 3 weeks of fundraising, frantic emails, phone calls, and panic attacks - it's all come together and I can finally breathe. Two pieces chosen for the show are from my series you've heard and seen bits about over the past year, BRANDED ...therefore I AM. I finally finished it in Denver's Civic Center Park this summer with a portrait of budding young illustration artist, Hans DeHaas (seen below on the show postcard[click for larger view]). I also have to send out appreciative words to all who participated as models and assistants in this project.  I hope to name every single one of you when I blog next year about the solo baby!! Hear that Mother Universe. Manifest. In'sha Allah.


SOoooo...pleeeeeez spread the word on this guys, whether you can attend or not. According to The Economist,the Fountain Art Fair is "The way an art fair should be".  So if you will happen to be in Miami from Dec 1st thru 4th, or know anyone down there (particularly collectors!! hee hee) - come one and all and support the AFP artists!!  

AFP Artists at Fountain Art Fair:  Sol Kjøk | Berette Macaulay | Juan Manuel Pajares

The Miami Art Week breakdown and Fountain Art Fair sweet talk from ARTSLANT - SO excited!

FREE iPAD app for the Fountain Art Fair - how cool is that??!!!  Download HERE

Exhibition Location:

 

FOUNTAIN ART FAIR
2505 North Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33137

Exhibition Schedule:

Thursday, December 1 

12pm - 5pm 

VIP/Press Preview

Friday, December 2 

12pm – 7pm

Open to the public

7pm - midnight 

Opening Reception with curated music program

Saturday, December 3 

12pm - 7pm

Open to the public

Saturday, December 3 

7pm – midnight 

Party with curated music program

Sunday, December 4 

12pm - 5pm 

Open to the public

*A special word of thanks to my patrons without whom my part in the Fountain Arts Fair SERIOUSLY would have been impossible.  Thank you for supporting me and my ability to show my art.  You have instilled great confidence in me to keep creating and sharing my work by validating me with your fiscal assistance.  It sure does feel good to be a funded creative.  Eternal Gratitude.

Berthan Macaulay, Jr.

Margarette May Macaulay

James Joseph

Bernadine Simpson

Martyn and Jenny Marriott

Steve "Urchin" Wilson

Gertrud Kretzschmar

Robert Sinclair

Raxann Chin-Anguin

Janice Thompson

Shirley Hawkinson

Mark Pergola

Rachel Tinguely

Merle Bassie

RELATED JOURNEY POSTS: 


SeBiArt News: Running on Joy (July 2011)


Some talk about a new project...'BRANDED' (Oct 2010)


Ideas That Boggle The Mind (July 2010)


Ku-ing the States of Fear (April 2010)

Show Follow Up: AFTH with The Vanderbilt Republic

So my debut last week with The Vanderbilt Republic at 25CPW Gallery was a wonderful success.  The pop up (one night only) gallery exhibit entitled Art From The Heart was seen by over 500 visitors which is what you call a kick ass event man!  And as I understand it - there will be a book featuring all the work of the artists in the show, which will be available via VR's Artifacts Store.   I suggest checking it out.  With such a large group of shooters represented, it is truly a rare thing to say that all the art was good.  But seriously, ALL the art was good - it felt great to be in such company.  Jo-Anneke van der Molen (curator) made funky use of the space and represented us well.  

AFTH/Vanderbilt Republic photos at 25CPW Gallery by Justin Lynch

And now that the surprise is over with (remember I didn't know what they were gonna show from my submission packet), the piece they chose was a pinhole camera portrait I took of Mark Sink this summer.  YeeHAW!!! And I STILL have yet to blog about THAT experience - IE.  my Pinhole and Collodion Wet Plate apprenticeship with Denver based master shooter - the Sink himself.  Once I'm outta the pressure zone with these shows that will come...

...next up: Fountain Arts Fair during Art Basel Miami Beach week! 

Art From the Heart 2011 from The Vanderbilt Republic on Vimeo.

RELATED JOURNEY POST: 

Next SeBiArt Show - New York City/Central Park West! (Nov 2011)

Next SeBiArt Show - New York City/Central Park West!

Hey guys - here's a flyer for my next show - it's a pop up gallery group show Art from the Heart(AFTH) with a really cool new organization called the Vanderbilt Republic (VR).  AFTH is in it's 2nd year and it's going up in a uber sweet spot - 25CPW Gallery (click here for their FB page).  It's gonna be a treat - come if you're free, up for buying some affordable art, or just ready for some fun!

Oh and what I'm showing is a surprise even to me - they selected one piece from my batch of submissions and refuse to tell me which one! Anyway you can preview some of the pieces (mine not included) at the link provided above. 

More online information can be found through these links. 

The press release: http://vanderbiltrepublic.com/pr

The Facebook event: http://facebook.com/event.php?eid=197593476984040

 Check out this Vanderbilt Picture Story preview featuring the curator Jo-Anneke van der Molen at work - if you squint and concentrate you'll see some of my work!  haha

AFTH2011: First Look from The Vanderbilt Republic on Vimeo.

As always - thanks for your support PEOPLE!! 

Oh - and stay close by - more news coming your way about my next show in December...in Miami!  YeeeeHAW!!!  

♡♡♡