Avant Garde Festival

So I've been a bit quiet about doing stuff I know - so here's a mini news brief.

I'm now in preparation for a show with Nina Buisson of NBCM Dance co. I used to dance with her and collaborated on a few shows back in the day. It 's amazing how easy it is to create with this special talent, as our tastes are similar. And I owe much gratitude to the universe that we still continue to inspire each other's creative growth because it's so rare and satisfying as an artist to experience ease in collaboration. She loved the work I was doing with my photo series CrowDeD (which features a few dancers from the company), and I LOVE her choreography, so it was a long but natural progression I guess that it would all come together in a show.

She has created what we hope will become an ongoing event entitled the Avant Garde Festival which will debut at JUDSON MEMORIAL in Washington Square Park this coming June 12 & 13th. It is an incredible space (see flyer below for more show details and RSVP to your right on the GOING.com flyer AND buy tickets HERE!)

The Festival gives dancers, artists, and choreographers the opportunity to present their latest work professionally. In this space we will create a fantasy world full of surprises. There will be works by other groups also, but for us, we will at last realize what has been a brewing idea for four years - to finally stage an interdisciplinary collaborative work featuring dance, photography, theater arts, and film entitled Behind the Hidden Gate. I hope many of you will come to see Nina's incredible choreography, and my most honest photographic work to date blown up to gigantic proportions of 20x30 feet!!







Secondly, I will have prints on view in a one night show with Antagonist Art in the East Village in June also. Will post details for that soon!

See the full series CrowDeD HERE!!

One Love

My Bliss is Dance...what's yours?

Few things make me as happy as dance; it is after all, the love of my life, and has been since I discovered self expression and freedom of the soul through movement at the age of 6.

Since then I have had quite the tumultuous mental, emotional, and physical affair with it - much of this affair has been in the dark, in private corners, in secret spaces. Though I explored movement on stage in high school and during my acting years - it was funnily enough when I was an adult that I finally took on formal training in the art that makes my soul sing.

Living in New York avails one the constant access to the best dance companies in the world, as a student, and as a theater-goer. I have enjoyed this fact for the 10+ years that I have lived here, and have often felt blessed to have enjoyed watching some VERY good performances, and even more incomprehensibly lucky for having broken bread with, learned from, and worked for or alongside some incredible talent on wonderful stages in this city.

But with that said - there are few nights like tonight, for tonight I had a smile pasted across my face for two hours straight as I watched at the JOYCE Theater - the Nederlands Dans Theatre (NDT II). This was a limited engagement (they have not been to the United States in 10 years!!) with 2 extended performances - that all sold out FAST! Scores of heartbroken people were turned away from the theater box office. The staff at the JOYCE (with whom I've become quite familiar from my frequent visits to attend shows) were giddy from the excitement rarely seen in the theater. We were after all, gathering in sweet anticipation of one of the most innovative ballet companies on the planet - to see a group of dancers with incredibly diverse facility of movement, boasting as their resident choreographers one of the most celebrated and revered in the world - Jirí Kylián (who - as rumor has it, will be retiring next year) and the beloved Lightfoot/León!! Well - they DID NOT DISAPPOINT. I quite literally squealed in delight when I read the program - I could not have asked God or Fortune for more!!! All my favorite (straight dance) pieces from these choreographers that I've seen video of countless times I just saw LIVE!! OMG!!! Yes - I just said "OMG"!!! I leave you with YOUTUBE snippets of each of the pieces I saw tonight - and not another word...












In order of appearance:

Said and Done (2001) - Lightfoot León

Sleepless (2004) - Jirí Kylián

Shutters Shut (2003) - Lightfoot León
(poem written & read by Gertrude Stein about her friend Pablo Picasso)

Sad Case (1998) - Lightfoot León
(full piece shown in two parts)



For this video - Said and Done is the third clip in...

Driving Color

I had the pleasure of stumbling upon this art show in the Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station. The BMW Art Car show - where for the past 34 years BMW racing cars have been used as canvases by some of our most celebrated artists. This is an installation of four of the actual cars painted by Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschen, and Roy Lichtenstein within the last 34 years of this tradition.

In addition there is a photographic and film installation of work done by contemporary South African artist Robin Rhode - where he infused this now traditional practice with new perspective and creativity "where the car is the brush, not the canvas". If you're in New York - go check it out - plus it's FREE!

Check out these photos I took while I was there. Thank goodness I had my little point and shoot with me:

As the artist explains:

"This work is an expression of painting in action - my hope is to communicate the power and thrill inherent in the creation of art", the artist said in a press release. "For me, the use of an untraditional paintbrush like a high performance car is a great way to investigate the relationship between emotion, technology and industrial creativity."

I loved this work - not because I'm a car lover or art fanatic - but because of what this artist was trying to do; to explore new life, to create beauty using such an aggressive method, such a hard and unchanging machine in producing infinite fluidity. It's a metaphor for something that I'm trying to work out here - like a the way fine aged wines are used analogously to describe the intriguing complexities of mature beings.
Photo by Zack Newmark

To create is to express, to communicate, to search for, find, or to give love. It's also a way to scream, curse, condemn, hate, paralyze, shock, or sabotage even. No matter what the creator or beholder gets out of it, "art" has the ability explore the full emotional, cognitive, and spiritual landscape, and while on the journey may liberate or devastate.

This show did neither for me I'll admit.

But when you think about it - cars, and the speeds they can reach have come to symbolize boundlessness, freedom, escape from conformity reaching into new unknown stretches of the reality - like that meditative longing mantra we Westerners are familiar with... 'just me and the road...'

And so, watching the cars create those lines on a 200 x 100 ft canvas (see video below) certainly made me think about the boundlessness that creativity has to offer - even and maybe especially when produced by a car...




For more on this check out:

World Car Fans

Keep an eye out for Denis Hopper's photos documenting this work in Vanity Fair! Yes Denis Hopper the actor. He's a shooter too. :)

Wow - ignorance is a bitch eh? - JAMAICA & the LGBT crisis

This post is a response I wrote to the recent YardEdge post and Jamaica Gleaner Article on the LGBT community here in the US lobbying to boycott Red Stripe Beer as a message to the world to punish Jamaica for it's known prejudice against gays:

Wow - ignorance is a bitch eh? I suspect what is probably obvious here - that Red Stripe was a logical choice for the lobbyists because it's one of the more internationally recognizable brands to come out of Jamaica and thus would resonate immediately to anyone listening to their protest. It's just unfortunate that they didn't bother to do any research on the business they are targeting. And my goodness - its so EASY to find any number of businesses, organizations, or individuals in both the public and private sectors in Jamaica to target in this boycott!! It's sick but true to say that we Jamaicans have enjoyed a local freedom of open discrimination and abuse of our gay brothers for time immemorial!

Being a Jamaican national, I worry of course about the bad press for Jamaica on the one hand, but on the other, I can't object to the idea of this protest as we yardies are undeniably known for such reprehensible views and behavior towards the LGBT community.

It of course doesn't help that we have yet to see one of our social or political leaders take a public stand in this. But back to the other hand - there's quantifiable reason for this: in Jamaica - it's literally a risk to your physical safety to support ANYTHING to do with gay men and women!!! In fact - I find myself just a tad bit nervous even commenting here on the matter. For God's sake we're taking about a nation from where members of the LGBT community seek asylum...yes...ASYLUM here in the States due to the real danger of being openly gay in Jamaica.

Should this boycott become a big international campaign, will it change anything in Jamaica truly or will it simply make it more dangerous for gay men and women due to some violent backlash; like the child being beaten for the exposed bad behavior of the parent?!?! I think the only thing that could make this boycott somewhat useful on the human/equal rights stage is for a responsible leader in our country to recognize the existing distaste that other nations hold for us regarding this issue, and thus taking the social and political risk to stand with the international community in an attempt to start creating (and I hate to use this word but we'd have to start somewhere!) TOLERANCE.

'Carpe Diem'...even in the rain...

From Chess in the Rain

The other night I was lucky enough to see what I thought was the best example of "living in the now". I had just finished dance classes and was walking across the Union Square piazza in the pouring rain towards one of the train entrances. After bidding adieu to two friends as they descended into the MTA tunnels, I continued on my wet journey. Very shortly thereafter I stumbled upon two chess players seated on crate boxes barely sheltering themselves and their chess board with one black and one bright yellow umbrella! It was startling and unreal and wonderfully amusing. They were rapt in their game and barely noticed the second and third glances they got from passersby.

As I strolled slowly past them I almost gave myself whiplash unable to resist repeatedly looking back at them and at another passerby in particular who was having the same trouble. Note though that they didn't attract a crowd or even a small gathering as spectacles are apt to do in city squares - I think because it was raining buckets. But the irony is, if it were dry outside they wouldn't have attracted any attention at all!

I have always been nerve-wracked about shooting public scenes - I guess a true photojournalist I am yet to be. :) Anyway, on this singular occasion how could I resist?!?!?! Manifest before me was the odd reality that bore resemblance to a surreal dramatic scene in a Kubric film! In recognition of this I muttered sotto voce to myself "fuck it", pivoted on my heel and approached the men, and asked them if I could take a shot. They didn't look up, but instead nodded "yes" in unfettered compliance.

As I began snapping away, that other similarly seduced passerby had apparently also decided to follow the 'now' example and came over to join me. Together we circled the men, he holding the umbrella steadily in the wind, as I did my best to capture a clear flash-free shot in the pouring rain, at night, with my little old point & shoot camera. I promised my spontaneous companion that I would email copies of this most unforgettable moment to him.

I'm glad to have these pictures (blurry as they may be)** of the 'chess game in the rain', to remind me of an age old philosophy recycled a thousand ways these days because we keep forgetting:

CAPE DIEM!!



**I took advantage of the blur by playing around with saturation and hue levels in photoshop to make certain colors pop out more. I reduced the noise as much as possible in some shots, did some slight sharpening, and added a crosshatch filter (varying strengths and stroke lengths in the images) to create a painterly effect.

Sorry to beat a dead horse - but can you imagine BUSH pulling this off???!!!

Check out the full transcript HERE

Just for reinforcement

URGENT REPORT ON DARFUR: You too, from where you sit, can act like a humanitarian!

Okay folks - so this isn't another subversive entry about "what life means". It's an appeal - to anyone who's looking, even if it's just one. Below is a copy of an email I just sent out - read it, follow the links, pass on the info, do something - ANYthing! This issue is actually under the radar in western media and I hardly understand why that is. SPEAK UP PLEASE!!

Dear friends and family,

I had to reach out and discuss something that is of great concern to me. I'm not sure if many of you know about this or not - as there has barely been any press coverage, but I'm sure everyone knows of the urgent circumstances that have existed for the past few years in Darfur, Sudan. Since 2005, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, president of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating all claims of crimes against humanity there, and since, issued a warrant of arrest for the alleged militia/Janjaweed leader "Ali Kushayb". Well, last week, the ICC also issued warrant for the arrest of Omar Al-Bashir - President of Sudan (see ICC Press release here.)

To the great shock of all humanitarian agencies (most of which are only concerned with humanitarian non-politically affiliated aid), the immediate, insensitive, and quizzical Sudanese governmental response to the ICC issued indictment, was to order all 12 known agencies to immediately shut down all operations and to leave the country. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) , Doctors Without Borders (DWB), and Refugees International were the organizations with the largest numbers of workers and aid officers on the ground - some 7000+ people who have been working in camps in Darfur for years, responsible for (as I understand) 60% of refugees and closely guarded villagers and nomadic groups - some 1.7 million people. They have been primarily providing shelter, fuel/firewood, access to clean water, food, and medical care for people who have no other access to these essential life giving services and resources.


The urgent concerns are:

1) The only action that can be taken by the Darfurians right now is to take to foot. The risk is they will try to migrate into Chad, Central African Republic, Uganda, or Kenya - all places that ABSOLUTELY cannot accommodate more refugees as they are already maximized in this regard, with just as few resources as these nations are already suffering their own strains.

2) Fresh water is running out. The IRC was able to set aside supplies in some camps for up to two weeks of water, but not all were so lucky. Smaller agencies with aiding Darfurians in smaller camps, with less funding simply didn't have the resources to prepare quite so well. This particular issue will soon (in a matter of days) lead to near immediate spread of disease - which furthermore cannot be addressed all all medical care providers from DWB have been removed from the country.

3) Perhaps the most obvious concern is safety. Without any presence of the international community - the people of Sudan are now in complete danger of serious harm that may be visited on then by militia/Janjaweed forces. Women and children who have suffered the greatest and most unspeakable crimes are now in even ever greater danger.

What can we do? Please make your voices heard! You may not realize or believe this - but it makes a huge difference. It's important to know that the confusing and appalling circumstance here is that the IRC, DWB, and other smaller orgs are strictly concerned with humanitarian aid. They ARE NOT in any way affiliated with lobbyists, governmental agencies, or the ICC - their interest is not at all political, it is strictly for the welfare of millions of people who NEED and are dependent on their help!

I just sat in on a truly informative phone conference conducted by IRC development officers in the field issuing reports from their current posts in neighboring Kenya, and answering our questions as best they could. I've taken the time to write this to you guys in my own words, and not to simply send you a forward.

lease, take the time to inform yourselves at the links above, and to support these organizations.

Pass on the word to your friends and family.

Go to this link and sign the appeal to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to "Keep Humanitarian Aid in Sudan" - as the government is under no threat to host them or the other humanitarian agencies!

Write to the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC, or any of your local printed or electronic media source and demand that they cover this very urgent story.

Place a link to the any info or the petition on your online community accounts, your website, or your blogs.

Look up the IRC on Facebook and Twitter.

(Just a little plug for my # 1 hero of human rights advocacy, Albert Einstein...the IRC American chapter was founded by his suggestion in 1933, as a branch his International Relief Association that assisted victims of Hiltler.  It's also his birthday in a couple days...March 14th. Happy Birthday Einstein!) 

Remember Rwanda? The world abandoned those poor people, let's participate and not abandon Darfur. YOUR VOICE COUNTS!

Love, Peace, and Hope,

Berette


FOR A LIST of Humanitarian Agencies Working in or recently ousted from Darfur -

GO HERE

Nip/Tuck?

So I've always been dead set against plastic surgery, and now...well, I'm perhaps still dead set against it for myself, only because I'm really a coward when confronting the idea of going under a knife while unconscious. I mean...think about that!

Anyway I just heard the funniest thing:

"If its saggin', baggin', and draggin' - get it sucked, nipped, and tucked"
~Dolly Parton~

Now that's all this vapid line of life threatening procedures needed! A cute AND funny tag line.
Thanks Dolly, now if I suffer later on from S-B-D, I may just consider this.

What it means to PRIORITIZE!!!

Quick note to get some stuff off my chest here. I'm a bit exhausted by the near daily forwards now advising me to lift my fists in outrage, to march, or to boycott some product or service because of an idiot who has again successfully enraged people of color by expressing an ignorant disdain for non-whites. Are we really doing this now? Are we going to give up our time, energy, and attention to this (rather than to real problems or to our victories), to validate EVERY single minor allegation or sign of racist sentiment???

Listen - Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are educated and successful representations of us, of ALL of us, black, white, red, and blue, and one of them IS the leader of the free world. Yes, it's true. Believe it. Can we focus now on mobilizing everyone we can to roll with the changing hand of power and hopefully the driving philosophies that could possibly save our world and NOT to attention seeking idiots???!! Please???

I just bought Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines, both featuring Barack and Michelle on the covers – photographed by Anne Leibovitiz. I spent some down time looking at these photos and reading the articles – I did, and you know, it made me feel like I was above the nonsense. And gasp, I bought them both at Barnes & Noble.


Want something to foward around? Humanitarian agencies are being kicked out of Darfur as we speak!!!

Read about it HERE

Sign the Petition HERE . I just did.

And the Congo is on a real fast track to hell!!!

Read About it here at the NY TIMES - "The Invisible War"

For God's sake folks - a swapped around book in a Barnes & Noble window in ONE neighborhood in all of Florida???!!! Offensive yes...grand scheme importance? None.
PLEASE PRIORITIZE!!!!

the Barnes & Noble Picture...

So no doubt you've seen or heard this one today...

-----Original Message-----

Barnes & Noble

Let us not be lulled into a sense of complacency, due to the recent political success of President Obama!

Racism still exists in this country. Like all things, nothing is perfect on this planet, in this world.

We have an obligation to be active on issues that simply cannot be ignored.
Along these lines we should all actively spread the word of how Barnes and Noble apparently feels about black people or at least our President.

Please forward this to as many people you think should be aware of it and would be offended by this.


Boycotting Barnes and Noble will show the economic effect of people who will not tolerate racism.


Barnes and Noble had this as their store front display in Coral Gables, FL, in the Miracle Mile Mall. I am totally disgusted and I think it isimportant that we all find a different place to buy our books. Obviously this is a place of extreme ignorance. How far have we really come?

God bless the CP race!


----
AND I SAY:

Is this a joke? I’m sorry but I don’t agree with this at all.

1)
As a photographer I have to note that if this was indeed a B&N window and I wanted to point out this outrage to the world, I would have ensured that there was an entire storefront photo to help market my outrage. Since this is not the case I have to question whether if this is a joke or not (considering there are so many folklore sights out there invalidating this issue)

2)
This has indeed put B&N in quite the tricky position of having to apologize as an institution for an occurrence at ONE store in one of the more racist states in the country, where it may have been a stupid prank by a customer or store worker. And so now, I should boycott the ENTIRE company (that does not sanction nationwide uniform corporate displays) for this supposed act????

3)
I live in New York and if you walk into ANY B&N here you feel proud of Barack Obama who has all but been immortalized in full show more than any other figure I’ve ever seen in ANY bookstore!

4)
The world now knows how overly sensitive we’ve become to the jokes, snears, and primate comparisons (which of course are not to be tolerated), but be careful that those who mean to offend us also mean to distract us in time wasting matters, lest we keep our attention steadfastly on continuing to build positive symbols of our obvious greatness, while enjoying the discounts off the very books that document just that. Ha!

It’s time to LIVE IN GLORY people. Pick the battles carefully, do no wear yourselves out on a win that may not count. The only satisfaction won here as I see it is the attention the prankster fool is getting out of this.

Long live the HUMAN race!

YardEdge Interview with Marisa Willoughby

Check out the latest YardEdge video blog - featuring Jamaican Artist Marisa Willoughby.

PART 1



PART 2