POPULARITY
In the U.S., funerals are typically sad occasions, and mourning must be private and appropriate. But as much as Americans like to be uptight about death, post-mortem photography is an art that's been around for a long time, and it's still alive today. Katie and Yves delve into the funerary photography of James Van Der Zee, the controversy of posting images of the dead on social media, and the spectacle of "extreme embalming." Get show notes at ontheme.show Follow us on Instagram @onthemeshow Email us at hello@ontheme.showSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
James Van Der Zee was a foundational Black photographer and part of the Harlem Renaissance. Emilie Boone, assistant professor of Art History at NYU, researches Van Der Zee's impact on Black Life in the U.S, as well as the African diaspora. Her new book, A Nimble Arc: James Van Der Zee and Photography, is a study of the photographer's practice and impact, and Boone joins us to discuss.
Back in 1900, James Van Der Zee took his first photo. For the next 80 years he made a career of taking photos of Black American life based out of his studio in Harlem. Emilie Boone is the author of “A Nimble Arc: James Van Der Zee and Photography” and she joins Tavis to explore his achievements and career.
James Van Der Zee was just a young boy when he saved enough money to buy his first camera. He took photos of his family, classmates, and anyone who would sit still for a portrait. By the fifth grade, James was the school photographer and unofficial town photographer. Eventually he outgrew his small town and moved to the exciting, fast-paced world of New York City. After being told by his boss that no one would want his or her photo taken -by a black man, - James opened his own portrait studio in Harlem. He took photographs of legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissance--politicians such as Marcus Garvey, performers including Florence Mills, Bill -Bojangles- Robinson, and Mamie Smith--and ordinary folks in the neighborhood too. Everyone wanted fancy portraits by James Van Der Zee. Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award, Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! tells the story of a groundbreaking artist who chronicled an important era in Harlem and showed the beauty and pride of its people. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/avant-garde-books/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/avant-garde-books/support
Author/illustrators aren't supposed to have favorites but what do you want to bet that there's a special place in Bryan Collier's heart for his award-winning Uptown? Since Betsy lived in Harlem for 11 years, it seemed fitting for her to go through the book with Kate, 22 years after its initial publication. In the course of things Kate finds a prominent male member (if you know what I mean), copious chocolate squares, and a love of golf that surprises everybody. Show Notes: this spread there's a lot of discussion of James Van Der Zee. If you're interesting in reading a picture book biography of him, please check out Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee by Andrea Loney, illustrated by Keith Mallett. It provides a delightful encapsulation of the man's life: https://www.leeandlow.com/books/take-a-picture-of-me-james-van-der-zee For the complete Show Notes please visit: https://afuse8production.slj.com/2022/08/15/fuse-8-n-kate-uptown-by-bryan-collier/
Always wanted to visit New York? Well, that's where we're headed today! But this is no 2020s New York City. Nope, we're going to Harlem in the 1930s and 40s to visit the movement called the Harlem Renaissance. A movement that explored African American identity through all the arts, the Harlem Renaissance stands as a testament to artists and artistry. You won't want to miss this handful of creators and creations from this impeccable American movement! Art: Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (1877-1968): Ethiopia (1921) James Van Der Zee (1886-1983): Couple, Harlem (1932) Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000): Pool Parlor (1942) Music (Spotify playlist): William Grant Still (1895-1987): Africa (1930) William L. Dawson (1899-1990): Negro Folk Symphony (1934) Connect with us! Patreon | Instagram | Facebook | notesandstrokespodcast@gmail.com
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://thecitylife.org/2022/05/22/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-awarded-a-grant-from-the-mellon-foundation-to-support-the-james-van-der-zee-archive-established-with-the-studio-museum-in-harlem/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/support
In this episode of PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, Sasha and art collector and curator, Dr. Kenneth Montague discuss As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic published by Aperture which is a compilation of work selected from Dr. Montague's famed Wedge Collection. Dr. Montague pieces together the experiences of being an immigrant son, living on the border of Canada and the U.S. and seeing the work of James Van Der Zee that all lead to this collection which is dedicated to artists of African descent. https://www.wedgecuratorialprojects.org https://aperture.org/books/as-we-rise-photography-from-the-black-atlantic/ https://www.instagram.com/drkmontague Dr. Kenneth Montague started the Wedge Collection in 1997 to acquire and exhibit art that explores Black identity. In addition to the Wedge Collection, Montague founded Wedge Curatorial Projects, a nonprofit arts organization that helps to support emerging Black artists. A Toronto-based art collector, Montague has been a member of the Art Gallery of Ontario's board of trustees since 2015. He has served on the African acquisitions committee at Tate Modern, London, and is an advisor to the Department of Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Find out more at https://photowork.pinecast.co
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://thecitylife.org/2021/12/08/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-announces-the-establishment-of-the-james-van-der-zee-archive-in-partnership-with-the-studio-museum-in-harlem/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/support
In this photograph, journalist and musician Celeste Headlee hears “Lenox Avenue,” a suite her grandfather William Grant Still named after Harlem's main street. This portrait captures the pride of Black Americans achieving success during the Harlem Renaissance despite systemic injustice. Find full transcripts and more information about this episode at https://www.nga.gov/music-programs/podcasts.html. Subscribe directly to Sound Thoughts on Art from the National Gallery of Art on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NGAT6207729686. Image credit: James Van Der Zee, Couple, Harlem, 1932, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, ©1969 Van Der Zee.
In this photograph, journalist and musician Celeste Headlee hears “Lenox Avenue,” a suite her grandfather William Grant Still named after Harlem's main street. This portrait captures the pride of Black Americans achieving success during the Harlem Renaissance despite systemic injustice. Find full transcripts and more information about this episode at https://www.nga.gov/music-programs/podcasts.html. Subscribe directly to Sound Thoughts on Art from the National Gallery of Art on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NGAT6207729686. Still haven't subscribed to our YouTube channels? National Gallery of Art ►►https://www.youtube.com/NationalGalleryofArtUS National Gallery of Art | Talks ►►https://www.youtube.com/NationalGalleryofArtTalks ABOUT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity. More National Gallery of Art Content: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalgalleryofart Twitter: https://twitter.com/ngadc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngadc/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ngadc/_created/ E-News: https://nga.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=e894a1837aca4526f7e8a11b3&id=2085ff9475
In this photograph, journalist and musician Celeste Headlee hears “Lenox Avenue,” a suite her grandfather William Grant Still named after Harlem's main street. This portrait captures the pride of Black Americans achieving success during the Harlem Renaissance despite systemic injustice. Find full transcripts and more information about this episode at https://www.nga.gov/music-programs/podcasts.html. Subscribe directly to Sound Thoughts on Art from the National Gallery of Art on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NGAT6207729686. Image credit: James Van Der Zee, Couple, Harlem, 1932, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, ©1969 Van Der Zee.
In this photograph, journalist and musician Celeste Headlee hears “Lenox Avenue,” a suite her grandfather William Grant Still named after Harlem's main street. This portrait captures the pride of Black Americans achieving success during the Harlem Renaissance despite systemic injustice. Find full transcripts and more information about this episode at https://www.nga.gov/music-programs/podcasts.html. Subscribe directly to Sound Thoughts on Art from the National Gallery of Art on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NGAT6207729686. Image credit: James Van Der Zee, Couple, Harlem, 1932, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, ©1969 Van Der Zee.
In this photograph, journalist and musician Celeste Headlee hears “Lenox Avenue,” a suite her grandfather William Grant Still named after Harlem's main street. This portrait captures the pride of Black Americans achieving success during the Harlem Renaissance despite systemic injustice. Find full transcripts and more information about this episode at https://www.nga.gov/music-programs/podcasts.html. Subscribe directly to Sound Thoughts on Art from the National Gallery of Art on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app https://feeds.megaphone.fm/NGAT6207729686. Image credit: James Van Der Zee, Couple, Harlem, 1932, printed 1974, gelatin silver print, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund, ©1969 Van Der Zee.
Episode 52: Take a trip down memory lane with us through the work of photographer James Van Der Zee working in Harlem in the 1920s, the rich @myanmarphotoarchive, and 'Rediscovering Forgotten Masters of Thai Photography', a project by Manit Sriwanichpoom. We also discuss the important matchmaking work of Sanjeev Photo Studio in Singapore and the provocative images of contemporary artist Hassan Hajjaj.
Andrew Thomas Clifton has emerged in the world of creative visuals as an imaginative and consistently evolving Imagineer. Raised in a variety of cities across the vast environments of the United States, he offers a piece of that vastness to the types of work that he works with including Photography and Videography to Creative Direction, and Graphic Design. Andrew shares his genuine and heartfelt vision of the royal nature within the people, places, and things that are apart of the world around us. Andrew has no formal training or teaching, but a deep rooted love for visuals and for subjects that find themselves on the opposite side of his talent and the teams he manages. He is known for constantly combining his other passions (such as science, poetry, and vintage motion pictures) into that work for a style that he likes to call “Funky Fine Art Journalism." With beginnings in self-taught photographic experiments dating back to 2005, Andrew produces timeless visuals across the spectrum of creative genres and types that explore the roots of the core emotions that are common to all men and women. His black and white photography is noted as being especially provoking and legendary in the ability to captivate the eye with what would be under any other circumstance simply another moment...because Andrew swears that no moment can be regarded as such. His images are also often noted for their deep use of dynamic lighting contrast, a powerful and provoking bending of natural light, and an intimate connection with simple item in a seemingly complex world. He has noted that his job as a photographer is to interpret and love the nature and relativity of beauty across the universe and to share that viewpoint with the viewer. This ever-evolving ability and conceptual change in work have earned Andrew the acclaim of various media and also made his works a significant part of numerous art collections and professional clients visual campaigns across the world. In 2007, he was selected one of the few select photographers contracted to shoot President Barack Obama during a private session for his first campaign. Among those acclaims for him includes the honor (in 2005) of being the youngest photographer (at the age of 24) ever inducted into the prestigious Paul R. Jones Collection where his work is viewed along side such legendary photographers as P.H. Polk, James Van Der Zee, and Gordon Parks. His work has been selected for such clients as Pepsi, Harris Publications, Bravo TV Network, Scratch Magazine, Ebony Magazine, The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Schools of America. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
***I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO ANY MUSIC PLAYED IN THIS EPISODE*** Cheryl McCain was born in Ocala, Florida. She is a retired Navy veteran who served honorably for twenty years. Two years after retirement, she enrolled at the Art Institute of Jacksonville to study photography. After two years at Al, she left her studies to care for her ailing husband. Just before leaving school her work was published in the Miami based magazine, Chellae and Jacksonville publication Void magazine. She has shot and directed two music videos one of which has been nominated video of the year (by DuvalHipHop.com), photographed four album covers for local artists and has been a featured artist at The Groove Suite Artist Edition two years in a row. In 2018 she was one of thirteen photographers selected to contribute to the exhibit "Jacksonville: A Tale of My City" at the Jacksonville Public Library's Jax Makerspace curated by Shawana Brooks and part of the "Let's Go" exhibit at the Jacksonville International Airport's Haskell Gallery. She also was selected and competed in the 2019 Artfields Artist Competition located in Lake City, South Carolina . She was recently selected to participate 2019 Through Our Eyes exhibit at the Ritz Theater and Museum.Photographers like Willim Eggleston, Carrie Mae Weems, Lorna Simpson, Henri Cartier Bresson and James Van Der Zee have had great influence on her process and approach when it comes to capturing any subject. In studying these photography giants, she has developed an eye for drawing the viewer in and telling story with her photography. Her objective is to have the viewer to see the world as she sees it when she looks through her viewfinder. She believes that should be every photographers objective first and foremost. Links: https://obscuraluxfineart.shootproof.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ObscuraluxfineartInstagram: obscuraluxfineartTwitter: @obscuraluxxx--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iamlovereigns/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/iamlovereigns/support
Nicole and Matthew discuss historically problematic statues, how legal does not always mean moral, and we reflect on the kidlit authors whose works have helped to secure space for underrepresented voices. This episode is sponsored by: TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life Nevertell by Katharine Orton from Candlewick Press Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! RELEVANT LINKS: Executive Order on Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes The Statues Were Toppled. What Happens to Them Now? (New York Times) Return of Oñate’s Foot (99% Invisible) Always Read the Plaque: Mapping Over 10,000 Global Markers & Memorials BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS: Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz; illustrated by AG Ford Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Jamey Christoph Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! by Andrea J. Loney; illustrated by Keith Mallett M is for Movementby Innosanto Nagara Heather Has Two Mommies by Lesléa Newman Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow; illustrated by Luisa Uribe I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes; illustrated by Gordon C. James MIDDLE GRADE: Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong by PhD Dawn B. Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta WHERE TO FIND CHILDREN’S BOOKS DURING QUARANTINE Your local library – Even as libraries are closing for the quarantine, they have a ton of e-books, resources, and movies for kids. Epic! – Epic! is the Leading Digital Library for Kids 12 & Under Susan Tan’s Authors Everywhere YouTube channel How Kids’ Lit Is Responding to the Coronavirus Read, Wonder, and Learn – Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere COVID-19 Resources compiled by We Need Diverse Books Resources for Online PreK-12 Teaching During COVID and Beyond Little free libraries – There may be free books in a free library just around the corner from you. Give a book, get a book, and remember to wash those hands! CLOSING NOTE: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny).
A man of Dutch ancestry, who dates the history of his family in America to 1665, is researching his family history. He happens upon a name, then a photo--"The Osterhouts"--by Harlem Renaissance lion James Van Der Zee. These Osterhouts are Black. He's White. What? Who? Wow! This week on The Janus Adams Show, "Who Did the Shirt on the Line Belong To?" Out guest: conceptual artist, writer, family ancestry researcher, bearer of amazing surprises--Mike Osterhout
James Van Der Zee - The Keenest Eye in Harlem
AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA J. LONEY Andrea J Loney received the 2014 Lee & Low New Voices Award for her picture book biography Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!, a Junior Library Guild Fall 2017 selection with a starred Publishers Weekly review and an NAACP Image Award Nomination. We talk about getting unstuck including what do you do when writer's block happens to you, strategies for when you're writing but you don't like anything that's coming out, and tips for handling rejections and what to do when you feel stuck in the submissions process? Get a FREE peek into Writers' Block here: http://instituteforwriters.com/freewritersblock
Karina and Matthew talk about exploring historical artifacts up close, Karina’s visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the remarkable story behind an inscription on a clay pot from Edgefield, South Carolina, circa 1865. Joining is special guest Bryan Collier, illustrator of Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave , written by Laban Carrick Hill. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders and Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! RELEVANT LINKS: National Museum of African American History and Culture NMAAHC’s Digital Collection Video of installing a segregation-era railway car, circa 1918 in the NMAAHC Stoneware Storage Jar created by Dave the Potter Greensboro Lunch Counter Photograph of Emmett Till with his mother, Mamie Till Mobley Artifacts of the Little Rock 9 BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: Picture Books: Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill and Bryan Collier Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous Photograph by Roxane Orgill and Francis Vallejo Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee by Andrea J. Loney and Keith Mallett Middle Grade: Midnight Without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy Jefferson’s Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Let us know what books you’ve loved about immigration and immigrants, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com), Twitter (@KarinaYanGlaser and @MatthewWinner), or Instagram (@KarinaIsReadingAndWriting and @MatthewCWinner).
James Van Der Zee was just a young boy when he saved enough money to buy his first camera. He took photos of his family, classmates, and anyone who would sit still for a portrait. By the fifth grade, James was the school photographer and unofficial town photographer. Eventually he outgrew his small town and moved to the exciting, fast-paced world of New York City. After being told by his boss that no one would want his or her photo taken by a black man, James opened his own portrait studio in Harlem. He took photographs of legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissance–politicians such as Marcus Garvey, performers including Florence Mills, Bill -Bojangles- Robinson, and Mamie Smith–and ordinary folks in the neighborhood too. Everyone wanted fancy portraits by James Van Der Zee. Winner of Lee & Low’s New Voices Award, Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! tells the story of a groundbreaking artist who chronicled an important era in Harlem and showed the beauty and pride of its people. — Andrea J. Loney received her MFA in dramatic writing from New York University. Since then, she has worked various jobs, from screenwriter to teacher of computer skills, and she even ran away to live with a circus. Today Andrea spends most of her time writing the kind of books that she would have enjoyed as a child—stories that celebrate the humanity of all children. She lives with her devoted partner and their embarrassingly spoiled pets in Los Angeles, California. The post James Van Der Zee – Ep 35 with Andrea J. Loney appeared first on Read Learn Live Podcast.
I’m joined by Vintage Black Glamour author, the fabulous Nichelle Gainer — a self-described “black history encyclopedia”.We discuss how what started out as a research project for a novel inspired by her great aunt, Mildred Taylor, a model in the 1950s evolved into the Vintage Black Glamour Tumblr site in 2011. I learn about the history of black beauty pageants, the ‘Four Goddesses’: Josephine Baker, Lena Horne, Dorthy Dandridge and Ertha Kitt and why they’ve been able to maintain icon status decades later. We talk about the “It Girls” of the Harlem Renaissance like A’Lelia Walker and Blanche Dunne, roles black actresses have had to take in Hollywood, and the importance of keeping these stories alive for future generations. Nichelle tells me about growing up in South Jersey in the 70s and 80s and why when it comes to her hair — you get what you pay for. Links below for deeper dives on all the people we discusses together.Nichelle’s Wonderful Books that I Can’t Recommend Enough: http://amzn.to/2CltqEs (Vintage Black Glamour) http://amzn.to/2oxy8Wh (Gentleman’s Quarters) Get Familiar with the Four Goddesses (Rare Photos) Josephine Baker http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/search/josephine+baker Lena Horne http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/tagged/Lena-Horne Dorothy Dandridge http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/tagged/Dorothy-Dandridge Eartha Kitt http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/tagged/Eartha-Kitt*********Key Figures of the Harlem Renaissance (1920s-30s)James Van Der Zee — photographer of the Harlem Renaissance http://bit.ly/2GLLKEY http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/tagged/James-Van-Der-ZeeCarl Van Vechten — another key photographer and author of the Harlem Renaissance, he was German and slightly controversial http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/tagged/Carl-Van-Vechten https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Van_VechtenBlanche Dunne — socialite and actress known as one of the most beautiful and fashionable women of the Renaissancehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanche_DunnMadame CJ Walker — entrepreneur, first Black Woman to become a millionaire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._WalkerA’Lelia Walker—Madame CJ Walker’s daughter, patron of the arts & hostess of infamous bathtub gin parties https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%27Lelia_WalkerOther People Mentioned Diahann Carol — actress http://vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com/search/Diahann+CarrollKatherine Dunham — dancer, activist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_DunhamCarmen de Lavallade— dancer, choreographer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_de_LavalladeCicely Tyson — one of the few actresses of her time who sported natural hair looks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicely_TysonDonyale Luna — First black model to be on a Vogue cover, she had a wild life https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donyale_LunaEdward Enninful — First and current EIC of British Vogue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_EnninfulFredi Washington https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredi_WashingtonResources/Books/Videos Mentioned Schomburg Research Center (in Harlem with online archives) https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburgOn Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker (written by her great-granddaughter) http://amzn.to/2GLz4hgBlack and Beautiful (Book on Black Models) http://amzn.to/2F4tBF4Lena Horne on Dick Cavett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKLErsgF_P4Hair Khamit Kinks — Where Nichelle gets her ‘baby curl twists’ http://khamitkinks.com*******This episode was mixed by Laila OwedaMusic "In the Garden" by Jason Minnis aka Classicbeatz See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Andrea J. Loney (@AndreaJLoney), author of BunnyBear and Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!, stops by the podcast to talk about understanding and appreciating yourself, the extra layer of beauty, and how it's all about the dance.
James Van Der Zee was a celebrated African American photographer who documented black New York for much of the 20th century. Van Der Zee was New York's leading black photographer during the Harlem Renaissance. His images emphasized the dignity, beauty and prosperity of black people at a time when the dominant culture didn't.
Hello history friends and welcome back to rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history! Today we are continuing with our 6-part wiki history series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history.” This series has proven to be amazingly inspirational; I hope that you’re having a great time. I know I am. Inspiration is all around us but sometimes it is difficult to see. The same applies to history—it is everywhere yet we often don’t realize that history is being made every single day. We don’t want to miss these inspirational moments. And that is what this series is all about and how to be inspired by history. Let’s briefly review: In Part I, we discussed how books can be amazingly inspirational. Remember that history is a collection of stories about people. I keep saying that the history textbooks that many of us have read in high school or college only relate history as names, dates and death counts. They don’t tell stories. Don’t let them put you off learning history or being inspired by history. Just find other books—remember the non-fiction novel—that teach history in a relatable way, in a way that many people can relate to. Many people can also relate to biographies and autobiographies—again stories of peoples’ lives. In Part II, we made the small jump from books to movies. Movies bring stories to the big screen and can also be amazingly inspirational. Movies and documentaries (please don’t forget documentaries) show the triumph of the human spirit and many people prefer watching movies to reading books. That’s just fine. I’m not here to judge. Everyone learns differently and can be inspired by different things. We discussed another way to be inspired by history in Part III which focused on getting history directly from the source: from people who were there, who actually witnessed history. This is a great way for anyone because it allows you to ask questions and to get the small details and feelings that are often overlooked in books or left out of movies. And it is a great way to connect with the elders and show how much they are cherished and respected. On to Part IV. One great and often overlooked way to be inspired by history is to actually visit historic places. Go to the battlegrounds, visit the homes of famous people from the past, visit churches, monuments and statues. Remember I visited restored slave quarters, which was an educational and very emotional experience to see where slaves lived, slept, ate, worked and generally spent their lives. It was a life-changing moment for me. And inspired me to learn more and to have the confidence to fight against modern day slavery. Remember to take an hour or day to acknowledge and visit great historic sites. It will definitely be worth the effort. So, this brings us to Part V of the great and groundbreaking series called “6 Fun & Easy ways to be inspired by history. What is Number 5? Go to museums! As much as I love visiting historical sites, I do understand that all the great historic sites cannot be visited. Common problems: Too expensive, too far away, too dangerous, too risky. Or it could be that the site no longer exists, perhaps it was not restored or it has been destroyed. So now what? Enter the museum—literally. Museums contain so much of the world’s knowledge and experiences. Experts make the explanations, exhibits and programs. They present the information in interesting and informative ways. Some museums are large and broadly based. Others are small and specialized. Both offer great information and knowledge. I remember when I was a child, my mother really wanted me to see an exhibit by James Van Der Zee in Oakland I couldn’t say no—this was in the days when kids couldn’t say no—so I went and hoped to get through it quickly or even better that it would be closed. Neither of those things happened. Thank goodness! .Mr. Van Der Zee was an African American photographer who specialized in portraits of African Americans in New York during the Harlem Renaissance. I found myself transfixed in the art museum, surrounded by elegant and stylish portraits of Black people. Some names were familiar like Langston Hughes and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (yes, even as a child I had heard these names from my parents, my elders). Others were completely foreign to me. But I was inspired that day. I witnessed how someone could make such beautiful art and such beautiful expression with a camera. One name that I never forgot was James Van Der Zee. And I never forgot going to that photo exhibit at the museum. It inspired me beyond words. My mother didn’t need to drag me to museums or exhibits after that time. We travel together a lot and always find ourselves at a museum. One of my favorite museums is the British Museum in London that contains artifacts from around the world—literally every continent on the planet. I’ve seen real mummies, jewelry from the Aztecs, masks from the Ibo, tools by the Cherokee and statues from the Tang dynasty. There is much much more. It is huge and would take a month (or longer) to see everything but it is my “go to” museum. However, Frederick Douglass House is another favorite; I have learned so much about the famous abolitionist and orator that it has given me an additional understanding of slavery and the abolitionist movement. And I learned about life during the 1800s for men and women (very different lives), for Blacks and whites (again, very different experiences) and about the great man himself. So, please don’t groan and pass by your local museum; there is so much to see and learn. And I strongly urge you to visit the African American history museums that are opening around the country. They need your support and you will definitely learn a lot about your history. And you’ll definitely be inspired. Also remember that many libraries double as museums. The African American Museum and Library of Oakland is an amazing place with a great collection of resource materials, including – and this is my favorite—original documents by leaders of the Black Panthers! It also has letters by other black leaders like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. Other African American history museums have a great collection and a special theme. Boston has an African American history museum that focuses on the Underground Railroad. Detroit has the Charles W. Wright Museum, which has special exhibits about the Obamas—America’s first family. As I said previously, Oakland’s African American museum has a special collection of documents by the Black Panthers. And the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta (of course) should not be missed—it has so much to see and learn about the civil rights movement. Now, I do know this audience and some of you are probably rolling your eyes about the thought of going to a museum—after all, how many Venus de Milos can a person see in one lifetime?! Okay, I have also seen to my share of classical museums, but today I focus on specialty museums like the Picasso Museum in Malaga and in Paris (Malaga’s is better though) the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum and the Bishop Museum about ancient Hawaii in Honolulu. By the way, that’s an amazing museum! Find your interest (historical or otherwise) and there is definitely a museum, library or exhibit where you can pursue and indulge it. Well, I hope that I have convinced you that museums can be amazingly inspirational. This includes libraries and exhibits—all so inspirational. Don’t miss them! But choose them wisely and you will reap the benefits. So, we now have 5 fun and easy ways to be inspired by history! There is just one more—actually, I’m sure that there are many more—but this podcast series is only going to discuss one more. One more. And, no, I’m still not giving any sneak peeks! In the last session—coming tomorrow—we’re gonna examine that final fun and easy way to be amazingly inspired by history. It is a bit of a surprise but I think that it’s the most fun way of them all though perhaps not the easiest way. (That’s the hint that I’m giving since I’m feeling so generous!) We will also wrap up the 6-part series with a short Q and A session. These are questions that have been sent to the website and I would like to take a moment to answer them. Perhaps I will answer one of your questions! I hope that you are enjoying this series as much as I am. And I will be sad to see it end. But let’s face it; history never ends—it is a truly never-ending story. Remember that you can listen to the podcasts on Stitcher.com—just download the free app, sit back and enjoy. I look forward to seeing you for the final part of fun and easy ways to be inspired by history. See you next time at rememberinghistory.com where we are remembering history and we’re making history! Bye for now!
Photographer James Van Der Zee was active from the 1920s through the late 1970s, working primarily in his native Harlem neighborhood in New York city. Through his elegant portraits and images of social, religious and athletic groups, he created an intimate narrative about his community, showing the world a part of America that was rarely … Continue reading History of Photography Podcast 4 : James Van Der Zee →
Jamel Shabazz has been documenting the ‘Urban Life’ for over 30 years. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY he picked up his first camera at the age of 15 and proceeded to record the world around him. Jamel has drawn inspiration from the great James Van Der Zee, Gordon Parks, Robert Capa, Chester Higgins and Eli Reed. He is the author of 3 monographs, ‘Back in the Days’, ‘The Last Sunday in June’ and ‘A Time Before Crack, Jamel is presently working on his fourth book, entitled ‘The 90’s'. Jamel is dedicated to mentoring youth, both in the field of photography and career planning. Shabazz is a volunteer with the Rush Arts Philanthroicp Foundation, which is an organization that is geared toward exposing inner city youth to the arts. Resources: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamel-Shabazz/16841597946 http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL535UHJ https://www.flickr.com/groups/thecandidframe/