Related Guides
Films
Black Light White Noise : sound and light in contemporary art
"This DVD and catalog have been published to accompany the exhibition Black Light/White Noise: Sound and Light in Contemporary Art, organized by Valerie Cassel Oliver, Curator, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, May 26-August 5, 2007"
Location: Mugar Reserve Room N6538.N5 B529 2007 (DVD)
- A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks (streaming, Kanopy) From his decades as LIFE magazine’s first Black photographer, to composing music, writing memoirs and novels, and directing feature films, multitalented trailblazer Gordon Parks used his camera as an instrument of change – a “weapon” as he called it – to challenge systemic racism and poverty. Through the lenses of Devin Allen, LaToya Ruby Frazier, and Jamel Shabazz – contemporary photographers who credit Parks as a formative influence – as well as interviews with Anderson Cooper, Ava DuVernay, Spike Lee, and many others who speak to his enduring impact, this feature documentary pays homage to a true American legend whose work stands at the pinnacle of 20th century socio-historical documentation and serves as an empowering springboard for contemporary and future artists
- All me: the life and times of Winfred Rembert (streaming, Academic Video Online) With his intensely autobiographical paintings depicting the day-to-day existence of African Americans in the segregated South, Winfred Rembert has preserved an important, if often disturbing, chapter of American history.
- A New Color (streaming, Academic Video Online) A NEW COLOR joyfully profiles the life and work of celebrated artist Edythe Boone whose colorful murals portray some of the major events of our time and illustrate the transformative power of art. Long before Black Lives Matter became a rallying cry, septuagenarian Boone embodied that truth as an accomplished artist and educator.
- Carrie Mae Weems: Speaking of Art (streaming, Kanopy) In 2004 Checkerboard had the privilege of filming Carrie Mae Weems discussing her body of work, comprised of 17 projects spanning more than two decades (1981-2004). This dynamic presentation was accompanied by slides of the artist's photographs and excerpts from her video art. The result is a chaptered lecture guided by Weems's seductive voice and passionate presence. The viewer is transported into her world as she details what she is trying to uncover, illuminate, investigate and provoke through her lens.
- The Cloth Sings to Me (streaming, Academic Video ONline) In this video, we meet the ebullient women quilters who display their colorful creations. Many of the women incorporate African fabrics into their work, thus enhancing their connection to their roots. Here is an art form made from remnants, where every scrap of fabric has its history.
- The spirit of the individual (streaming, Academic Video Online) This video introduces us to fiber artists Michael Cummings, and Peggy Hartwell. Their dazzling creations bridge the gap between folk art and fine art. Each shows how their art is in the African American folk tradition, incorporating storytelling, spirituality, a sense of origins, and of course, brilliant color. They pay homage to their mentors, including Romare Bearden, Sister Gertrude Morgan and Clementine Hunter
- Paris Noir : African Americans in the City of Light (streaming, Academic Video Online) Paris Noir - African Americans in the City of Light' is the most comprehensive and compelling documentary on the remarkable migration of pioneering African Americans who sought freedom from America's strife and found acceptance and great achievement abroad. Beginning with World War 1 soldiers, the film weaves together the contributions and influence of writers, musicians, intellectuals, entertainers and artists in Paris of the 1920s to 1950s.
- The artist in society : talking with Hershell West (streaming, Academic Video Online) Painter, muralist, teacher of at-risk youth, key organizer involved in community projects - Hershell West is a black man brought up in the rural South in the days before the end of segregation. Neither his family nor his community, nor the larger society expected him to become a professional artist. Defying these expectations, he triumphed over the odds and in this hour-long documentary, we examine both his art and the ways in which artists contribute to society - through their artistic creations, and also through their teaching and advocacy for the arts.
- American masters. Season 32, Episode 8, Basquiat : rage to riches (streaming, Academic Video online) ean-Michel Basquiat went from anonymous graffiti writer to epoch-defining art star, and has emerged as one of the most important artists of his generation exhibiting in museums all over the world.
- Master builders : featuring African American architects in the Nation's Capital (streaming, Academic Video Online) Washington, D.C. is a tourist attraction, a place of monuments and landmarks, and the seat of the federal government. There are accredited schools of architecture at Howard University, the Catholic University of America and an architectural technology program at the University of the District of Columbia. D.C. is home to numerous buildings designed by pioneering African American Architects. Some of the architects featured in this documentary include: Julian Abele, Calvin T.S. Brent, Eliz Brooks, and Albert I. Cassell.
- Jamel Shabazz: Street Photographer (streaming, Academic Video Online) Before hip-hop culture took over the world it was vividly captured by New York photographer Jamel Shabazz, who’s impactful images defined not only the generation it captured, but all those that followed.
- Uncommon Images: James Van DerZee (streaming, Academic Video Online) This is a touching portrait of one of the first and foremost photographers of black American life, who set up shop in Harlem at the beginning of the century and spent the next sixty years taking pictures there. His work is now recognized for its artistic and historic value, representing a fascinating record of the public and private life of the black community. Mr. Van DerZee, a man who loved deeply and experienced both joy and sorrow in his life, brings to his reminiscences the wisdom of a ripe old age.
- Say Brother. The Art Of Photography (streaming, Academic Video Online) Hosts Dighton Spooner and Lloyd Cogell introduce the topic of photography as an art form with guests Hakim Raquib and Carl Ephraim, both professional photographers who live and work in Boston. Topics of discussion include how they started in photography, if their work is affected by sociopolitical events, who their influences are, the validity of photography as an art form, its similarities and differences as compared to other mediums, the challenges of the Boston gallery scene, being African American fine arts photographers, the lack of publicized work by African American female photographers both locally and nationally, the nature of commercial photography, and tips for beginners.
- HistoryMakers: African American Video Oral History Collection This link opens in a new window See the ArtMakers collection.
