Stan Douglas / Luanda- Kinshasa at David Zwirner
For Stan Douglas‘s twelfth solo exhibition at David Zwirner, the artist debuts a new film set in a reconstruction of the Columbia 30th Street Studio. This legendary recording studio, known as one of the finest in the world, was opened in 1949 by Columbia Records in an abandoned Armenian church on East 30th Street between Second and Third […]
Awesome Tapes from Africa at Lisa Cooley
Sunday, May 20th, the Lisa Cooley gallery saw an unusual sight- cassette tapes. Brooklyn’s Brian Shimkovitz, author of popular blog Awesome Tapes from Africa, brought his collection of rare African tapes from across the continent to the intimate Lower East Side venue. In between mounted pieces by Michael Bauer, Shimkovitz took us on an audio journey across Zimbabwe, […]
Cheikh Lô: Senegalese Sufi Troubadour
On April 20 , at Zankel Hall in New York City, Cheikh Lô, the Senegalese Sufi troubadour drew an enthusiastic crowd. A superb singer, songwriter, and a distinctive guitarist, drummer and percussionist Cheikh Lô has developed his own sound, which distills a variety of influences from West and Central Africa. His music can be described […]
Miriam Makeba: World-Famous South African Singer & Civil Rights Activist
Miriam Makeba — nicknamed Mama Africa On this journey that I have undertaken with the African continent, I find myself opening doors and encountering worlds heretofore unbeknownst to me. I discover histories, talents, personal journeys that move me profoundly and speak loudly and persistently of the limitless courage, rich talents, and absolute dedication of many […]
Tinariwen: A perspective on Northern Mali turmoil
Tinariwen are a band of Touareg-Berber musicians from the Sahara desert region of Northern Mali. They have performed internationally and their fifth album Tassili won the Award for Best World Music Album in 2011. It was recorded in the rocky desert as you can see in the video. Tinariwen share their perspective on the events in Northern […]
African Music
Traditional African Rhythms I am adding a little music to the mix; after all music is central to the life of many Africans. It is very much part of my experience in Africa whether I am walking in the bush with Samburu tribesmen who spontaneously start singing while walking, watching the Dama Dance in Dogon […]
“Desdemona” with songs from Mali
A poetic conversation by Clara Cassan In October 2011, as part of the White Light Festival, Peter Sellars’ Desdemona showed at The Rose Theater at Lincoln Center. The show, written by the acclaimed author Toni Morrison, tells the story of Othello’s characters—particularly Desdemona and her African maid Barbary—reuniting after death. I was intrigued by the […]
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