HCX Community Postings
Here's where you can find useful resources throughout our community.
Archive for the ‘HCX Programs’ Category
12.22.11
Thank you to all who attended the AQ/Art Quake Exhibit Opening Reception at Five Myles Gallery last Friday! AQ/Art Quake is a group of 10 internationally known artists who have contributed to a portfolio of original contemporary prints available for collection. All proceeds from the portfolio sales benefit artists of KOLAJ.
In attendance from KOLAJ that evening, was Co-Director Anderson Ambroise, who spoke to guests about this current project. Other participating artists such as Vladimir Cybil Charlier and Rejin Leys were in attendance that evening. Guests enjoyed delicious Haitian treats, an intimate ambiance, and a special performance by poet and performance artist Gabrielle Civil. Gabrielle’s piece was absolutely captivating and opened up room for discussion. You can watch her performance here on Youtube.
Even though the Opening Reception was Haiti Cultural Exchange’s last event of the year, it was just the beginning of a one-month art installation and event series. The installation will be on display until January 15th at Five Myles! Please visit the AQ/ Art Quake Program page to get more information about the AQ/ Art Quake events taking place in January 2012!
Posted in Archive, Arts, Exhibitions, HCX Collaborations, HCX Programs | No Comments »
11.07.11
HCX|Haiti Film Fest
Friday, November 18, 2011
Opening Night Reception & Fundraiser, Brooklyn Museum, 6 to 10pm
Performance by Orchestre Septentrional; followed by a screening of “When the Drum is Beating” by Whitney Dow
Saturday, November 19, 2011 – Noon to 9 pm, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Spike Lee Screening Room, Dekalb Ave. & Hudson Street Entrance
Ciné Institute (Founder David Belle): various short films, commercials and music videos screening throughout the day.
Ciné Institute provides Haitian youth with film education and edutainment, technical training, and media related micro enterprise opportunities.
Noon – 1:30 pm
Manno Charlemagne/Konviksyon (2010, 59 Minutes, Kreyol Not Subtitled) by Frantz Voltaire
A documentary about the life and musical influences of Haitian musician and song writer, Emmanuel Charlemagne.
Followed by a discussion with Frantz Voltaire
~~~
1:45 – 4:00 pm
Haiti One Day: One Destiny (2011, 21 Minutes, Kreyol and French with English Subtitles) by Michèle Stephenson
In the aftermath of Port-au-Prince’s January 12, 2010 earthquake, Haitian-American documentary filmmaker, Michèle Stephenson, traveled to Haiti for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting National Black Programming Consortium to document stories not yet heard.
Une Etrange Cathédrale dans la Graisse des Ténèbres (2011, 78 Minutes, French with English Subtitles) by Charles Najman
The film evokes the devastating effects of the earthquake that struck the Haitian capital on January 12, 2010, through the words of Haiti’s greatest poet Frankétienne and his premonitory play Le Piège (The Trap).
Followed by a Discussion with Michele Stephenson & Charles Najman
~~~
4:15 – 6:00 pm
Moloch Tropical (2009, 107 Minutes, Kreyol and French with English Subtitles) by Raoul Peck
In a fortress perched on the top of a mountain, a democratically elected « President » and his closest collaborators are getting ready for a state celebration.
~~~
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Amours de Zombie (2011, 90 Minutes, Kreyol and French with English Subtitles) by Arnold Antonin
A zombie who has just escaped tells the press about the love that he feels for a woman. A female reporter follows closely the story. We discover through her reporting how a group of politicians has decided to exploit the zombie’s popularity.
Followed by a discussion with Arnold Antonin
~~~
Sunday, November 20, 2011 – Noon to 9 pm, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Spike Lee Screening Room, Dekalb Ave. & Hudson Street Entrance
Ciné Institute (Founder David Belle): various short films, commercials and music videos screening throughout the day.
Ciné Institute provides Haitian youth with film education and edutainment, technical training, and media related micro enterprise opportunities.
Noon – 1:15 pm
Mario Benjamin (2008, 53 Minutes, Kreyol/French with English Subtitles) by Irene Lichtenstein
Around an exhibition which took place in Port-au-Prince in June 2008, Mario Benjamin, this charismatic man shares his thoughts with us, on his work, the art and the difficulty in being an artist in a Third World country.
Gospel of the Creole Pig (2004, 18 Minutes, Kreyol/French with English Subtitles) by Michelange Quay
Haiti has been exposed to the menace of invaders since the Era of Exploration. The pig poetically speaks about historical and present Haiti, the first republic of black people that still suffers extreme poverty.
~~~
1:15 – 2:45 pm
Children of Haiti (2010, 54 Minutes, Kreyol/French with English Subtitles) by Alexandria Hammond, co-produced and translated by Regine Zamor
Following the day-to-day lives of three teenage street boys in the northern city of Cap-Haitien, CHILDREN OF HAITI provides an intimate view of the country-wide orphan epidemic.
Followed by a discussion with Alexandria Hammond
~~~
3:00 – 5: 00 pm
Kaleb (2011, 76 Minutes, English); Presenting a Sneak Peek of this new film! by Kervans Barthelemy
One day Jacque sees his son Kaleb in a local newspaper accused of raping a young girl. The police search for Kaleb and his friends while the incident sparks friction within the family, demanding Jacque to respond to his wife’s ultimatum: Find Kaleb or lose the rest of his family.
Followed by a discussion with Kervans Barthelemy & Atibon Nazaire
~~~
5:15 – 6:15 pm
Black in Latin America (2011, 55 Minutes) – Episode One: Haiti & the Dominican Republic: An Island Divided by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
In Haiti, Professor Gates tells the story of the birth of the first-ever black republic, and finds out how the slaves’ hard fought liberation over Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Empire became a double-edged sword.
~~~
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Jean Gentil (2010, 84 Minutes, Spanish/Kreyol with English Subtitles) by Laura A. Guzmán & Israel Cárdenas
This poignant tale follows an educated Haitian immigrant as he travels through the Dominican Republic in search of work and a meaning to his life.
Posted in Film, HCX Programs | No Comments »
10.30.11
Photo Credit: Jocelyn McCalla
To begin, the space was lovely. Soho Photo Gallery on 15 White Street in Manhattan had the standard gray-painted floor and white-washed wall loft-feel of the famous Soho gallery area but when you looked at the walls, you saw some incredible digital print photography that told of the keen artistic eye of both the curator and featured artists. Our featured guest, Tequila Minsky’s photo exhibit was located upstairs in a precarious catwalk of a show space that created a fantastic progression through her images. My favorite photo in Minsky’s exhibit titled Haiti = Survival (No Questions But) was that of a little boy laying across an elevated box as a young mother holds his head. Entitled “Injured Boy, Day After,” both young person’s aura in the photo evoke a sense of solemness and a painful darkness that emanates from lost innocence. The perspective of the photo is from below and the aggrandizing shot as well as the shroud-like medium of canvas for the print gives the impression of a modern photographic Pietà.
When asked why she chose the medium of canvas as her print surface Tequila asserted her dislike of frames for her work, and I must agree, to attempt to compartmentalize the powerful images of Post-Earthquake Haiti would only serve to detract from the intense reality and depth her photographs portrayed.
Tequila also showed a video of Fort Royale, a small rural town in Haiti that was damaged during the earthquake and where Two Little Flowers, a community school where Tequila is actively raising funds for, is located. She discussed the damage done to the town as well as its only school. The temperament of the room shifted, as it became very clear to everyone in the room that the impact of the earthquake on life in Haiti has not been resolved and for many, not yet diminished. As a small donation basket was passed around, the clear dedication and emotional attachment to Haiti of all of us in the room, regardless of origin or experience, was understood.
Following the discussion with Minsky, Ibi Zoboi, writer and coordinator of The Daughters of Anacaona Writing Project, graced us with readings of poetry from Haitian girls who participated in the 3-day intensive workshop in Port-au-Prince. The powerful works are published in an anthology that is being sold by HCX for $10 (Pick one up at our next event!).
After the readings we broke out into conversation with the artists and mingled to the rhythm of Buyu Ambroise and his band’s fantastic Haitian jazz beats. We listened and chatted late into the evening, and I’m sure it would have run longer if not for our sound curfew.
Thanks to all our fantastic attendees and partners, and welcome to all our new members! Special thanks to Tequila Minsky,Prestige Beer, and Bubby’s, Boom, Krik Krak and Le Pescadeux for the delicious food! And infinite gratitude to Soho Photo Gallery for lending us their home for a memorable evening.Posted in Archive, Arts, Exhibitions, HCX Programs, Photography, Public Forums, Uncategorized | No Comments »
07.12.11
On Saturday, June 25th, the HCX crowd was at the lovely FiveMyles Gallery located in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn to watch the intriguing and, at times, poignant film When the Drum is Beating directed by Whitney Dow and co-produced by Daniel Morel and Jane Regan . All eyes were on the screen as the film followed the sensational Haitian band Septentrional as it grew amidst the turmoil that has filled Haiti, the former “Jewel of the Antilles.” The documentary featured interviews from many of Septentrional’s colorful band members as they recalled the bands 62 year history.
While watching the movie, we were moved by countless images of the country’s turbulent past; from its former grace as the Western Hemisphere’s first free black nation to the poorest nation in that area. The graphic and heartbreaking images of the aftermath of the 2009 Earthquake caused a visible stir and a quiet sadness to settle in the room. Band members reflected on the transformation that they were able to be a part of, showcasing their music as it changed throughout the years to reflect the nation. One thing that stood out to me was how the rhythm of the music stayed upbeat and joyful, even as the world around the band was quickly crumbling. The members of “a fusion Cuban big band and Haitian vodou beats”[i] deal with danger and dilapidated conditions every day and continue to spread their music to the masses. Staying in the country is dangerous for all members of the 20 piece band, and they could most likely make a comfortable living elsewhere.
With chaos in front of them, they continue to make beautiful music and keep people dancing. They bring joy and happiness wherever they go and are providing a big help to the people of Haiti. Embodying Haitian joy in the midst of upheaval, Septentrional stands as an icon of hope and progress for the people that love their music and love their country.
On the following Thursday, June 30th An n’ Pale | Café Conversations hosted Whitney Dow, the director and co-producer of When the Drum is Beating. After a segment screening of the film, the conversations opened up to Dow as we discussed the source of his interests in Haiti. Dow explained that his first trip to Haiti was actually during the second ousting of Aristide in 2004 and that the climate in Haiti was admittedly uncomfortable.
The film had gone through four to five revisions and major changes before the team considered it complete. Originally aimed at archiving Septentrional’s history alone, the necessity of context became more and more evident. Incorporating contemporary news that was happening in Haiti during the time of the shooting such as the results of the exile of Aristide and the 2010 Earthquake led to the evolution of the film into something much more historically contextual. The question arose as to whether the disagreements between the older and younger band members was exaggerated or plotted into the documentary. In response, Dow pointed to the inevitability of this archaic feud. When old deep cool streams of water meet fast paced warm currents, there’s bound to be a storm, and at least a little steam.
When asked when he became so interested in the question of the Other, Dow replied that it is not so much an intensive study of the Other but a questioning study of self via Other’s stories. A guiding element, Dow notes, is his work with Marco Williams, his partner at their jointly run production company Two-Tone Productions. Working with Williams, Dow said, helped fuel a positive self critique of his position in the social structure of the world, privilege and race.
A special thank you to Whitney Dow and FiveMyles Gallery and Colors Restaurant for hosting HCX.
Posted in Archive, Film, HCX Programs, Uncategorized | No Comments »