Thank you to everyone that came to the Brooks on Thursday, July 9th to see this inspiring film. Thank you especially to Reel Conversations for leading a discussion about the topics raised by the film. We had a terrific turnout and now I can’t wait for the next two events in connection with The Prints of Jacob Lawrence exhibit.
Stay here for all of the updates or you can check out our website here!
During the ’20s and ’30s, the Harlem Renaissance exploded onto the scene and the US witnessed a burst of African American cultural life. This Thursday, celebrate an illustrious and renowned author who changed history through the catalist of feist, pride, and creativity.
Zora Neale Hurston was a pioneer not only for African American literature, but also served as an inspiration to women, artists, and the like. Author of four novels, two folkloric books, plays, and more, Zora researched oral traditions, anthropology, and Caribbean culture.
Her notable career was most probably influenced by her mother’s guiding words. She would tell her children, “Jump at the Sun,” Zora recalled. “We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground.”(1).
Starting at 7:30 pm at the Brooks, the film Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun, a biography, features scholars and rare footage of the rural South, some shot by Zora herself, and an insight into Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black incorporated town in the U.S.
Afterwards, Common Ground’s Reel Conversation on Race will lead a discussion on themes presented by the film.
1.) http://www.zoranealehurston.com/biography.html
Jazz & Jacob Series
During the ’20s and ’30s, the Harlem Renaissance exploded onto the scene and the US witnessed a burst of African American cultural life. The Brooks brings that excitement to your city and community by celebrating all the arts on Thursdays in July.
THIS Thursday, July 2 | 6 pm
Actor, producer, and director Darius Wallace will be sharing his talent as he presents the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance. Featuring selections by Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, Wallace will expand history both visually and theatrically.
Wallace currently works in Memphis and has acted in several shows at the Playhouse on the Square, written a one-man show about Martin Luther King, and performed at the National Civil Rights Museum. He and his work have travelled all over the states and Memphis alike. Don’t miss out on this talented legend.
Mention this blog and you’ll get $3 bucks off the cost of the show.
Enjoy dinner and drinks in the Brushmark Restaurant after the show until 9 pm. Make your reservations here.
Please vote for us!!! We’re in 3rd place and to win we need YOU! You can vote every single day until July 15th! Help support the Brooks with a single click here!
The Brooks Museum wants to thank everyone involved with our eco and exhibit-friendly coffee sleeves and drink coasters! When you visit any of the restaurants or coffee shops that use our coupons via coffee sleeves and coasters you will receive $3.00 off admission! Jacob Lawrence, an African American artist who painted scenes from the Harlem Renaissance, is the Brooks’ summer exhibition! We want everyone in the community to come and see his extensive, magnificent, and inspiring work!
Visit the blog soon for more updates and pictures!
Thursday, June 25, 7:30 pm
Join us at the Brooks for RIP: A Remix Manifesto, a film that provides an interesting perspective into the idea war . Filmmaker and activist Brett Gaylor created, along with several others, a documentary that evaluates whether or not information via internet is fair game for appropriation.
Gaylor displays how copyright in the information age is not parallel with the laws available to protect users against those who may be taking their ideas, images, or text. The band Girl Talk is at the center of the film to represent the remix culture that spawned in the early age of hip-hop.
Who do you think needs to be protected, or is everything accesible? This film approaches a controversial, but fun topic that will definitely give you something to chew on.
“Gaylor cohesively and emotionally discusses the sweeping topics of intellectual property and remix culture.” – Indiewire
The Prints of Jacob Lawrence, 1963 – 2000
On view June 20 – September 6, 2009
Experience the bold, bright excitement of the Harlem Renaissance this summer at The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. The Brooks is pleased to announce the opening of the exhibition The Prints of Jacob Lawrence, 1963-2000 on Saturday, June 20.
Jacob Lawrence (1917 – 2000) was one of the most prominent American painters of the twentieth century. His youth was spent in New York City, where he attended classes at the American Artists School and the WPA Harlem Art Workshop, working with well-known Harlem Renaissance artists such as Charles Alston and Henry Bannarn. Through the art community in Harlem, Lawrence developed his theories about art and his own person style, which he called “dynamic cubism,” recognized by his use of flat, overlapping shapes and bold colors. While still in his twenties, Lawrence came to prominence when his series of paintings The Migration was exhibited in New York in 1941 and subsequently acquired by the Phillips Collection and the Museum of Modern Art, where he became the first African American artist to have a major solo exhibition.
Over his career spanning 65 years, Lawrence has been recognized as one of the art world’s most gifted storytellers. His work is direct and powerful, in keeping with his life-long conviction that art can effect social change. This exhibition of his 81 etchings, woodcuts, silkscreens, and lithographs explore universal issues of equality, unity, and hope; they illustrate pivotal moments in history and the struggles of the working classes, as well as interpret daily life in Harlem, celebrating its people, music, and buildings.
Also included in the exhibition is the documentary film The Glory of Expression about the artist’s life and work, in which viewers can see Lawrence creating art as well as discussing the struggles of African American people.
The Prints of Jacob Lawrence, 1963 – 2000 is on view June 20 – September 6, 2009 at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Regular museum hours and admission prices apply. For more information on the exhibition and all related programming, please visit www.brooksmuseum.org.
Sunday, June 21, 3:00pm
Presented in partnership with True Story Pictures and Reel Conversations, the Brooks Museum will screen Black Magic, a feature film about civil rights issues seen through the history of basketball. A film about a sport only on the surface, Director Dan Klores looks into the past with the eye of the future and questions the public, past and present players and coaches, and political officials, about why historical black colleges are not fully or even satisfactorily recognized.
Narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, Black Magic features interviews from several prominent African-American players and coaches from the 40’s and 50’s mixed with original footage from that era. Black Magic observes the role of outsider and how they are destined to invent their own ways soley because they are excluded from the mainstream; both in media and by society.
The film series Reel Conversations on Race originated as a response to Common Ground’s mission of taking action to promote racial harmony. Join us after the film for a discussion guided by a Reel Conversations trained facilitator about topics brought up in Black Magic.
“Young people need to see this film from high school and up because they need to learn about greatness that is not associated with money”.-Dan Klores, Director from NBA.com interview
FILM:Kenny
Thursday, June 11, 6 pm
Join us on the Brushmark terrace as we sample wines and hors d’oeuvres from Australia during our ever-popular Warm up to Wine celebration. Then, come down to the Brooks auditorium to see the award-winning Aussie film, Kenny, winner of Best Film, Best Script, and Best Sound at the Australian Inside Film Awards. Kenny is a mockumentary comedy about an optimistic man with a laundry list of obstacles; including his job as a portapotty handler and dealing with his ex-wife. Director, producer, and creator of the film, Clayton Jacobson, says that “Kenny represents the humbling nature of common decency”(1). Kenny takes pride in his work and in his family, the latter being surprisingly the one thing Kenny just can’t get right. In the film, Kenny deals with the dirty background of parties an outdoor events unflinched and unappreciated. After travelling to the expo for plumbing supplies in Nashville, TN, Kenny finally earns what he has unconsciuosly been working to achieve.
“Kenny is the funniest film I’ve seen this year. I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.” – Michael Moore, Filmmaker
“Kenny is much more than just a very funny film, it’s a film with a good heart and a sharp eye on the human condition…”-Chris Samuel, Blogger
Call 901-544-6225 or click here to make reservations.
(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_(2006_film)
Thursday, June 4, 7:30 pm
The Brooks and Indie Memphis partner to screen this intense and emotional debut feature film from Turner Prize-winning visual artist Steve McQueen. Winner of the coveted Camera D’Or at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Hunger tells the history of the Irish Republican Army and their fight to reclaim rights from their government.
In 1971, Irish officials used the Special Powers Act to initiate a raid on Republican areas to arrest members of the IRA, without trial, to deal with escalating civil violence in Northern Ireland. The prisoners were given Special Category Status for crimes associated with civil violence, but the new labour secretary phased SCS out, therefore removing rights from anyone arrested after a certain date.
Those discluded from the SCS were transferred to the new “H-blocks” of the Maze Prison where prisoners began protests to argue that they shouldn’t be treated as common criminals. The protests began with refusal to wear uniforms or bathe, an experience visualized in the film by prisoners spreading their increments and pouring their urine on the ground. When their demands were not met, the protest then led to the Hunger Strikes that lasted from 1980-81, and eventually took the life of IRA leader Bobby Sands and 10 others. His death, however, led to an increase in IRA memberships and the right for imprisoned peoples to wear their own clothes. Not until 1988 were the remaining prisoners allowed to retain their status.
Hunger while at times disturbing and violent, unapologetically displays the universal struggle between politics and the people through one man’s experience.
“Put Hunger on your must-see list…It’s a brilliant work of power, maturity and vision that should not be missed.”–Rex Reed, New York Observer
“Steve McQueen’s Hunger about the death of Bobby Sands in the Maze prison was the most controversial film on la Croisette from the moment the programme was announced.”-Kaleem Aftab, The Independent
Call 901-544-6225 or click here to make reservations.
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