Finding organic subjects is not always a easy thing to do during the cold Midwestern winters. I can’t wait until spring is here because I need to see colors other than white, gray, & brown.
I’m longing to see red, purple, blue & yellow. I’m ready to see leaves, bees, grass & flowers. LIFE!
This evening, I met with photographer Loti Walker who also happens to be the Assistant Director of Programs at the Ann Arbor Art Center to discuss their ArtMakers Teens program. ArtMakers Teens is geared toward at risk youth between the ages of 14-18 and it exposes them to art education. The current session will be led by Loti & will be centered on photography.
During our meeting, Loti shared her vision for this session & the flow of what she wanted the students to experience through digital photography. This is where I come in. Loti extended an invitation for me to come in & give a talk to the students regarding my creative process & photography work. She also invited to me critique some of the student’s work at the end of program before their photography exhibit.
Needless to say, Loti didn’t have to twist my arm at all to get me on board. So Feb 20, 2010 I will give a talk to some young fresh minds, which I find very exciting.
The great thing about this opportunity is that it will allow me to educate & provide community service locally, which is a personal goal every year.
After Loti & I were done talking shop & exchanging fun life stories, I immediately called my Aunt Phyllis to share my news. I knew Aunt Phyllis would be excited because she’s an artist herself & teaches art in the Detroit Public School system. She was so excited for me & asked if she could join me at the talk. I so appreciate her undying support.
Now, I have to focus on my talk outline & prepare a visual presentation for the students to feast on.
On a side note: Loti introduced me to a new word; filthy. When something is filthy, its hot/bad ass/off the chain. When she first said it, I was like what did you just say? She laughed then explained. From there I challenged myself to say it throughout the week. See the Urban Dictionary’s 1. definition (I love the Urban Dictionary).
I’m happy to announce that I am one of five featured photographers exhibiting next Saturday evening at the EXPOSURE.Detroit Photography Exhibit Opening. It will be warm, artsy & lots of great coffee from the Bean & Leaf Cafe.
Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: Bean & Leaf Cafe | 106 S. Main St | Cafe Royal Oak, MI
I hope that you can make it out to spend some time with some of the most creative photographers in Detroit!
You can get more info here:
Also, if you have not done so already, please join me at my Facebook Fan Page here. I promise to not disappoint!
Peace,
Tafari
Back in November 09, I was finally able to see the movie “Precious” (Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire). I had not read the book prior to seeing the film, but friends who had “warned” me about what to expect.
To put things mildly, what I was told really didn’t prepare me for what I saw. I mean I left the theater without being able to close my mouth from shock.
There were several scenes that had me about to break down in major tears but somehow I was able to keep from going there. The emotional/sexual/physical abuse, overt colorism, etc were almost too much. But… the story of a young woman fighting to survive for her sake & the sake of her children helped me make it through the movie. I was hoping that this girl who had everything against her finally won.
Once I got home, I sat down to figure out how I was going to talk about the movie & was stuck. I guess I was stuck because I felt like I was missing something. What did the movie not cover from the book. And I also wanted to know more about Precious’ friends from the “alternative.” So, at this point, I logged onto Amazon & purchased “Push.”
Flash forward>>>>>>>>>>>>
I’ve read the book & it filled in all of the holes that I knew were missing and I was satisfied knowing the complicated back-stories of Precious’ friends.
One thing that stuck with me through the book was this passage from chapter 1:
“I big, I talk, I eats, I cooks, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture come back I don’t exist. Don’t nobody want me. Don’t nobody need me. I know who I am. I know who they say I am-vampire sucking the system’s blood. Ugly black grease to be wipe away, punish, kilt, changed, finded a job for.”
~ Precious
Is the book hard to read? Yes! The vernacular is written phonetically & some may struggle with that as I’ve heard.
Is the book graphic? Hell yes! The book makes the movie look like a PG rated after school special.
My favorite laughable take aways from the book not fully played out in the movie? “Cunt Bucket.” & “Hasta la vista, baby.”
“She look at me like I said I wanna suck a dog’s dick or some shit. What’s with this cunt bucket? (That’s what my muver call women she don’t like, cunt buckets. I kinda get it and I kinda don’t get it, but I like the way it sounds so I say it too.)” ~ Precious
——–
“My muver say, “Eighty –six that bitch.” I says into the intercom. “Hasta la vista, baby.” That’s Spanish for good-bye but when niggers say it, it’s like, kiss my ass.” ~ Precious
Without a doubt, “Push” is a MUST read, if you’ve seen or want to see the movie “Precious! The short novel fills in the missing links & believe me there are many. This is surprising because the book is a quick 192 pages compared to the 110 minute movie.
Flash forward one mo’ gin’ (Negro Dialect)>>>>>>>>>>>>
This past Monday I attended a MLK symposium talk sponsored by the University of Michigan titled “Push, Literacy, Women, and African American Literature” given by poet & novelist Sapphire.
Sapphire coming to town was too much like right! While at the talk, I planned on getting my book autographed & asking some of the pressing questions on my mind regarding the movie & book.
After the very exciting session was said & done, I wasn’t able to get my book signed but I did get the chance to ask two of my three questions which are addressed in the audio link here.
I wish I could have asked my 3rd question regarding the content on 111 para 4. I just wanted to be sure that what I read was what I read & not what I was thinking it was.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
A few of my Tweets from the Talk:
Did you see the movie, read the book or both? What are your thoughts?
Yesterday, I covered the Fashion In Detroit event for the Detroit Fashion Pages. I had no real expectations on the greatness of the show but I was excited nonetheless.
Local fashion events don’t seem all that great to me in general but that has now changed because FID reinvented the game in Detroit. All others (I will not name names) take note.
The production of the event was super & I’m already looking forward to seeing the fall & winter collections, which will be presented March 2010.
Kudos to Joe Faris & his team for kicking ass!
After the runway shows were over, I headed to the “Afterglow” event, which had several Detroit personalities, big wigs, tastemakers, wannabees & even a couple celebrealities. All made for an interesting night.
Well, although I wish I attended the party to mix & mingle, I did not. I was there to work that bitch with my girl/PR rep Asia Willis for DFP. Our assignment for the night was to document the best & worst dressed.
Photographing the best dressed is always easy but capturing those who are fashion challenged is difficult because I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings (to their face). Once the piece runs, I’ll post a link.
BTW, if you follow me on Twitter, you can cath me in the middle of most of my adventures good & bad as they happen. I’m just saying. So many things tripped me out last night that were detailed on Twitter!
Above: This is one of my shots taken during the Femilia Couture runway show. I’m very proud of my friends Fotoula Lambros and Emily Thornhill. I met the design duo & photographed some of their 1st pieces when they hit the scene about 3 years ago. Seeing their continued progress is really exciting!
As you know, last weekend, I covered the Detroit Electronic Music Festival for the Detroit Fashion Pages.
My job was to capture the spirit of the festival in all its glory (I think I did a fucking great job of that) to tell a photographic story for DFPs readers.
As the event drew closer, DFP needed a feature story & I was able to step up to the plate & arrange an interview with DJ Minx.
Anyway, enough of my shameless self-promotion & bullshit, read on.
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Detroit Fashion Pages: Inside Look: DJ Minx | 5/29/09
Interview by: Nick Degel
To those who attended Paxahua’s Movement 2009, Monday’s line up at the Vitamin Water stage should have been a reminder of why this festival belongs to Detroit. Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May’s back-to-back DJ sets capped off the night on a stage that had also featured Carl Craig, Los Hermanos, Quentin Harris and Luke Hess.
On the day prior, the largest of the four stages set in Hart Plaza received its shotgun start from another Detroit original. DJ Minx’s upbeat set that afternoon welcomed the diehards and early – if 2 pm on a Sunday can be considered early – risers to another day of sun and beats.
To refer to Minx as established falls directly in the category of “understatement.” She has shared the stage with colleagues and friends who list like a who’s who of electronic music. She also formed the collective-turned-label Women On Wax, co presenter of the “Powerhouse” afterparty at Premium Resto Lounge the night of her Movement set, and is world renowned for her infectious brand of house.
Sunny and approachable with an instant sense of humor, it’s no wonder “Mama” Minx is seen as a mentor to many female DJs developing their own careers. The humidity of the festival’s first day finally seemed to be breaking when we sat down in the press area to chat
Just a few short minutes of small talk revealed that her life, in many ways, is a very Detroit story. Her day job is with GM and her successful career as a DJ began in the same city – the same club – where many discovered the music.
DFP: How did you get started as a DJ?
Minx: I used to go to the Music Institute downtown and I used to see Derrick May playing and watch him, going, “Look at how he’s making these people dance like crazy!” I’d go up into the booth and watch him and one day he asked, “What are you looking at?” I said “I can do that” and he was like, “Really? OK, well I want to see you do it.” I went back the next weekend and he looked at me and said, “Are you doing this yet?” and I said “no,” (and he said) “Well don’t come back until you doing it.” I was like, “Oh my God, he is mean!” I went and told my mentor and he said, “What do you think that means?” I said, “I think it means Derrick is crazy!” He said, “No. It means you have to start doing it.” … (Once I got better) I wouldn’t say anything to anybody about spinning or anything, but people started finding out that it was a lady doing this and started booking me.
DFP: Was it somewhat of a boy’s club?
Minx: Oh my goodness. It was so deterring. People would just stare at me and go, “Is this really a lady?” Really! One guy thought I was a man disguised as a woman. I was so offended. I was hurt more than I was offended because there was nothing I could do (about it). … They’re looking at my neck. Seriously, looking for Adam’s Apples. It was crazy! I was really really shy too. I would just wear jeans and T shirts and stuff like that. Then I started dressing up and that would really make them scared, but it would also make them dance harder too.
DFP: How much has the festival changed in your opinion?
Minx: Beside the fact that it was free the first year and it was packed wall to wall and cracks and crevices? That was beautiful. And then it was kind of different, it fluctuated for the next few years, and then when Paxahua took it over it changed in a different way because they had mostly the Techno, Tech-House and things like that. I can play both forms of music. I can do the Tech-House and I can do the Soulful, Vocal and the Deep House so however they booked artists I worked with them accordingly.
DFP: Is it a case where the scene has changed so the festival has changed with it?
Minx: Yeah, I know that’s the case. It’s like Techno’s taken over the festival itself. Period. It got really Techy for years and we Soulful House and Vocal House artists felt left out. That’s all I do on my label, Vocal House and Deep House. We felt kind of left out for a long time. It’s good that they were accommodating the masses by bringing in the Techno artists because you had all the people listening to Techno on the daily coming down to Detroit. They kept it flowing, they stuck with the trends. I’m just happy that this year they have a variety of music and artists. That’s really impressive to me. Especially the line and the days in which they have the Detroit stage, that’s appreciative. Not mention that next year Carl Craig is going to be the creative director. That’s good news too.
DFP: Is there a big difference when you’re playing overseas?
Minx: Are you kidding me? (Laughs). First of all, when you’re getting picked up in a limousine to get taken to the club, you’ve got 20 people dying to carry your records. They’re giving me jewels and made me bracelets and things. …You’re a star, I’m telling you. It’s crazy different. People are so loving. They don’t even talk English but they know how to show you they love you. You know the show MTV Cribs? They have a German version of it and they followed me around like the whole day. … They’re at your every beck and call. But when you’re at home, it’s nothing. (It’s like) Whatever.
Yes boo, that is a tattoo of a {s w a s t i k a} on a Black man wearing pink polka dot panties!
If you think you can handle more images from the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, then click here!
If you click “Show Info,” while veiwing the slide show, you will be able to read my captions. Each photo has a story.
Back Story: Noureen is Sade’s big sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. They have been a pair for the last 4 years & have a great relationship.
Last year when Noureen got married to Adbulkalid, she asked Sade to be one of her bridesaids at her Shaadi (Pakistani brides reception) & I think it was quite a journey for Sade.
Sade struggled a bit in her saari but she looked great in it & I was so proud of my little sister!
We are all super happy for Noureen & Abdulkalid & the future that the they will build together!
What Happened Yesterday: The Shaadi was scheduled to start @ 6 but I got there at 5 to drop Sade off so that she could get into her saari with the other bridesmaids. After I had her set, I chilled in my car for a good 1½ hours waiting on Suite Suzy, Olivia & Amelia to show up.
It’s now 630 & a few people start to trickle in but not as many as I thought for the event to start @ 6 right….
So now we are sitting at a table & people are still slowly coming in. I questioned Suite Suzy about the time & she said it started at 6 & there was even a program on the table.
About 7ish, someone announced that appetizers were being served so the fam went to see what was available & came back with plates loaded with Pakistani delights, none of which I was interested in. I am not a fan of Pakistani food & I am not a fan of lamb or goat meat at all, so this event was going to be a challenge.
It’s now after 8 & the even still has not kicked off & people are still slowly coming in & I was hungry as hell & had a headache from all the sprite I drank. So I decided to go to the bar to get some wine because I figured that I needed a buzz to enjoy the event since food was not going to do it. Once at the bar & begged for a Chardonnay & he said, we don’t have that here, then I asked for a Zinfidel & he said we don’t have that here. So I was like, what do you have. He said pop, water or tea. I then asked why come, I need a DRANK! He then looked at me like I was a fool & said, we do not serve alcohol at Muslim events. I was like damn & went back to my seat disappointed!
When I got back to the table, I told Suite Suzy that I had to bounce early cuz with a lack of edible food & drink, this is not my type of party. Yeah I know I was supposed to be in the spirit ect ect ect but wedding receptions equals, dancing, drinks & food to me.
I did wind up staying until 1030 & actually had a nice time but I had to go. Before I left I had a conversation with a friend of mine Ousama, who had showed up at 9. I told him that I could not believe that things started to late. He then looked at me with a smile on his face & said, didn’t you know that Pakistanis run late for everything just by nature. That is why he came at 9, which was pretty much when things started to move.
Later Suite Suzy told me that someone else had told her that a few days ago.
Anyway, it’s now 1045 & I am at the Popeye’s drive up window ordering a 2 piece spicey (breast & wing), with red beans & rice mashed potatoes & 2 peppers. 7 bucks & some change later I was wondering why Popeye’s is so damned expensive.
To see a few more images from the shaadi, click here
Suite Suzy & I saw the Alvin Ailey Dance Company tonight on an adult only date. Originally the whole family was going but then Olivia ran her mouth & acted up yesterday so she was reprimanded & because she got so off the hook during the jump off, she was told that she would not be going. Then today Sade got sick & was not up to going although she really wanted to.
Sade being sick really put us in a pickle because we shipped Olivia off to Suite Suzy’s mom already & had no one to watch Sade so that we could still attend. Well after some frantic calls around we got one of Suite Suzy’s best friends (Ramona Jones (street name given to those looking to boo up)) to baby sit.
Ramona Jones showed up around 6pm, then Suite Suzy & I hit the door with the quickness. 35 minutes later, we were at the Detroit Opera House box office purchasing 2 box seat tickets (saved 50 bucks, since it was just before the show). With tickets in hand, we had an hour to kill, so we shot over to the Centaur for a cocktail & light snack. 55 minutes later, we were back at the Opera House perched on our seats.
We got the bomb box seat, as we faced the stage dead on. Talk about great luck!!!
OK, so just before the house lights went down, the woman across from me started to pop her gum all up in my ear. I was thinking & hoping she would stop when the show started. Well that never happened! This chick popped that damn gum all the way through the “Love Stories” act (EXCELLENT). When the lights came up for intermission, I had to stop my self from cussing her out! I hate a loud gum chewer, & not only that, why would you purchase box seats for a fine arts performance & act all ghetto by popping gum & you are over 25???
I was at the point that we had to move to prevent me from going over the edge. Eventually, I chilled a bit just before intermission ended & Suite Suzy agreed to switch seats with me. Now during the “The Road of the Phoebe Snow” act, Suite Suzy was about to kill her because the gum popping continued & she was talking to her girl who was seated next to her. Suite Suzy (also a gum popper at times) was annoyed also because the gum popper had on a pair of summer pumps with an open toe & white lace, then she had on a pink leather cocktail jacket obviously from Wilson Suede & Leather (very tacky). Lastly & to make matters worse she kept on pulling out this fucking Blackberry because it went off non-stop. At one point, I was wondering if she was sending text messages to Kwame Kilpaptrick so they could meet at the room after the show.
By the time the “Revelations” act started, we both had, had enough of the gum popping, Blackberry light & that tacky ass pink leather cocktail jacket. 2 damn hours of hot ghetto mess sitting next to you is not cool at all!
After the show, we headed out for Sushi & had a great meal, but the conversation on the way home was even better. Things started off by me telling Suite Suzy that I wanted to have a dancers body by June this year. She then laughed hard as hell & was like, Nigga that ain’t happening unless you get on that elliptical machine tonight & not get off that bitch until June, then we both laughed very hard.
Then we had a very interesting conversation on being Black, her own racial ambiguity, Barack Obama’s dark lips, Irish penises & defining what is meant when people both Black & white say the “Black Experience”. I really wish I was recording it because we both talked a lot of shit!
Wait’ let me get back to the performance then I’m out. I can never get tired of seeing the dance troupe perform & will seem them anytime they come Detroit.
This is a shot from “Wade in the Water”, my favorite part of the “Revelations” dance act. I found a good video of this act on YouTube, so if you are a fan of dance then you will enjoy this.
Today, I officially kicked my new photography project, featuring my Ikea “Alexander Visitor Chair”, that I copped last spring from the “As Is” bin.
When I got the chair last soring, I was so struck by the color that I did not even think about where I was going to put it at home. I guess, you can say this is a good example of me not being able to control my spending.
Anyway, so I got the chair home & just sat it at the top of my basement steps, where it collected dust and everything else for months. No wait, I think we did use it once when we needed an extra chair at the dinner table. And I did use it for a photo test last summer that came out very well.
So over the last few weeks, after attending a friend of mines photo art exhibit, I started to think that I could do this, next thing my idea was born. I had decided to use my Alexander Visitor chair as a focal point for my exhibit (if I get one/can make it happen).
My plan for the exhibited photos is to have each feature the chair out & about & in different situations, with & without people. At this point, I am going to do several months of work to get a collection of photos that I feel are representative of my style & exhibit worthy.
Like I said, today was the official jump off point & I did a series of 20+ shots & here is my favorite, titled “Passerby”. This shot was taken at the Law School of the University of Michigan aka “the law quad”, & the ghost in the background is yours truly.
If you are interested in keeping up with my work, which I am calling “Mobile Ekundu Kiti” Check it out here. By the way, Ekundu Kiti means red chair in Swahili jicydnk.