This month's Spacetaker Arist SPEAKeasy features artists Robert Hodge, Lovie Olivia and Michael Kahlil Taylor (of the exhibition DARe to go FURther opening this Friday at Lawndale), as well as Michele Brangwen, founder of the Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble.
About the exhibition:
Taking into consideration the staggering range of diversity that the African Diaspora has to offer, DARe to go FURther aims to investigate and reveal many enigmatic layers. UUPA Crust fastidiously addresses the presence of stereotypes, myths and cultural similarities of both African-Americans and native Africans. Robert Hodge, Lovie Olivia and Michael Kahlil Taylor of the UUPA Crust Collective, are exploring and navigating beyond the surface of many beliefs associated with certain communities. In forms of visual narratives, paintings, and mixed media on paper, UUPA Crust analyzes the adaptation and mutability of culture.
About Michele Brangwen (and the Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble):
The Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble is a contemporary dance company that specializes in commissioning new music for dance and incorporating musicians into the visual imagery. Sharing the stage and the focus, their dancers and musicians break the boundaries of traditional ensemble interaction. Performance works include original choreography and music as well as improvisation by all performers, creating a spontaneous performance environment where anything can happen. The Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble is known for their innovative format, bold subject matter, and wide range of music spanning from classical to jazz to avant-garde and experimental.
About the SPEAKeasy:
Every third Wednesday of the month at the Artist SPEAKeasy, Spacetaker hosts two to three artists from varying disciplines (visual, performing, literary, etc.) to present, in an informal atmosphere, creative dialogs/talks/presentations about their work followed by a question and answer session where the audience can glean further insight into the artist, the artist's aesthetic and creative process. The evening is designed not only to bring together artists and those who appreciate the arts, but also to introduce local artists to each other to encourage conversation and cross-disciplinary collaboration between artists and their chosen media.
Drinks and nosh are served at 6:30; formal talks are underway at 7:00. Guests are invited to come and go as necessary.
