Odunde 2012 Begins

Odunde Festival 2012 kicks off with a week of activities not to be missed.

Fore more details visit:

http://www.odundefestival.org/

A New Documentary on The Spook Who Sat by the Door

"Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door" is an independent documentary on the controversial and FBI repressed 1973 black film "The Spook Who Sat By the Door." Through interviews with author Sam Greenlee, Berlie Dixon (widow of director Ivan Dixon), Academy Award®-winning editor Michael Kahn, Melvin Van Peebles, and many others, "Infiltrating Hollywood" tells the story of "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" from its inception as a novel to the film's release and repression. Today "The Spook" is widely hailed as a cult classic and one of the most important underground black productions of the era.



Although often satirical in presentation, the film was still considered too dangerous for black consumption. In the era of J. Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO, exhibitors reported that the FBI and local police demanded the cancellation of screenings and most copies of the film were destroyed. The film exists today because director Ivan Dixon hid the masters of "The Spook" in a film vault under a pseudonym. "Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook Who Sat by the Door" reclaims the lost history of the film and the people behind its powerful story. (57 minutes, 2011) 

Remembering Ahmed Tahir

As is often the case, death comes unexpectedly and with great impact. Brother Ahmed Tahir passed away this past May 5th and he will be genuinely missed. Ahmed was one of the last people we were expecting to hear had transcended. After all, he was supposed to come down and see the campus after completion.


There may not have been a Sekayi and Ture were it not for Ahmed, as he was instrumental in our meeting. It was through his organization, N.A.P.U., that we first met.

My cousin (the same one who invited me to participate in N.A.P.U), was one of Ahmed's oldest friends. He called to inform me of Ahmed's expiring from cancer, of all things. The last time we talked to him he didn't let on that he was sick, as was his way.

While Ahmed is memorialized we are left with the memories of late night meetings, cultural debates, hours hanging out at Pearl of Africa, hanging out at Crimson Moon, 2 am visits to watch conscious films, poetry slams on Friday at Zion Train and the myriad events he organized such as African independence Day. Ahmed was excellent at motivating people to come together.

We sincerely hope that his memory is kept vital in the lives of those he touched. His vision for a cultural cohesion between the different sects of Afrakan groups is a noble one that should be realized. He often said that “we are a global people,” reminding us not to dismiss idly the streams of African influence in the world.   Brother Ahmed, you are missed -Ture & Sekayi  

 

 

 

 



Kenyan activist wins Goldman Prize

                                   

Kenyan activist Ikal Angelei won a Goldman Prize for her campaign to block the construction of one of East Africa’s most significant infrastructure projects, the GIBE-3 Dam, that could lead to the region’s Lake Turkana drying up.


Ikal Angelei: "The biggest challenge was working with a community who’s having—there are already a lot of problems, so access to food, access to healthcare, insecurity, lack of government support. It’s so hard when you’re talking about environmental rights and resource governance in a place where people are just thinking, 'Can I just get a meal today? Can I see today and, you know, wait and see what tomorrow brings.' So that was the hardest challenge. But working in an area where the communities were already in conflict over resources was really hard to bring them together and say, 'Listen, we understand the other issues, but as of now we have to speak as one voice.'"
 
courtesy DeocracyNow.org






see the whole show

New Art Exhibition: Al Johnson

73 See Gallery is pleases to announce the opening receptions celebrating the work of artist Al Johnson. Join us at the gallery Saturday, March 10th or Sunday, March 11th from 3 to 6 pm. Saturday will feature the the jazz legend Traciana Graves. Delicious Light fare will be offered. Free.

The show runs through April 12th and we welcome you to stop by. We're looking forward to seeing you here.

Contact the gallery at 973-746-8737 or send email to events@73seegallery.com for more information or to schedule a private viewing.

Location: 73 See Gallery & Design Studio 73 Pine Street, Suite C Montclair, NJ 07042

The Music of Insigne Tribus

Download the music that inspired Aesthetics 6250 A.U.

 Insigne Tribus Edition:

Totemic Synchronicity

                                                        

New Aesthetics 6250 A.U. - Insigne Tribus

Insigne Tribus is a compilation of contemporary art which broaches a dialogue with our collective unconscious and the natural world. Published by the Arts and Aesthetics Collective.

 Featuring: Al Johnson, Fawn Whelahan, Theresa "Indigene" Gaskin, and James Black.

View it here

See past issues of Aesthetics 6250 A.U.