One Imagination empowers the current and next generation of leaders through written and oral expression. As a collective based in the Long Beach/South Bay area, we believe that through conscious artistic programming, community education and outreach, and leadership development, we can cultivate a world free of hatred, ignorance, injustice, inequality, and oppression.
In case any of you were mistaken, we’re artists. One Imagination is made up of artists who create, not only works of art in various mediums, but create bridges, connections, spaces, community with the hope of bringing people together in finding common ground, learning more about ourselves, and connecting at a deeper level for transformative positive change internally and externally.
With that, we wanted to share some written work by 1i artists, work that can be found publicly on their blogs. Feel free to comment and dialogue with these artists if any of these pieces speaks to you.
Now on its 16th year, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) will be in town February 7th to the 18th. It will feature over 100 films that represent countries and peoples throughout the African diaspora. The aim of the film festival is to "showcase the broad spectrum of black creative work, especially those aim on breaking stereotypes." (PAFF)
Besides the films themselves, what's worth checking out is the Art Mart (FREE entrance) which features over 100 artists and artisans from just about every continent but Antarctica. The SpokenWord Fest is also on the top of the list, with Shihan (featured Def Jam poet) as host.
Location of the Art Market: BALDWIN HILLS CRENSHAW PLAZA 3650 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90008 FREE PARKING.
At first it felt as if the film festival itself was a little elitist and out of reach to the people it is trying to reach out to the most, which is black Americans. The opening night gala is $150, to attend the workshops it is about $20 (excepting the African Martial Arts one that is free), and film screenings are close to $10. It must be noted though that as part of the film festival, they have a student fest in which students throughout the city and county are welcomed, through their schools, to watch certain screenings that pertain to youth for free. Not to mention the Children's Fest, that provides free screenings to children and their parents.
Here are the films at the intersection of Hip Hop, Culture, and struggle: Akira's Hip Hop Shop 02/14/2008 - 6:20pm 02/16/2008 - 11:15am -drama/comedy that goes beyond black and white, and into the romance of a Japanese record store owner and a black culinary student.
B.L.A.C.K.- An Aboriginal Song of Hip-Hop 02/11/2008 - 6:30pm 02/16/2008 - 1:35pm "This film explores the complexity of Aboriginal society through the seductive rhythm, rhyme and reason of the Hip Hop lyric."
Diamonds in the Rough: A Ugandan Hip Hop Revolution 02/14/2008 - 3:50pm 02/15/2008 - 10:45pm -"The incredible journey of the hip-hop group the Bataka Squad, who use hip-hop to spread awareness of their country's troubles, and to offer positive alternatives for the youth."
Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes 02/10/2008 - 8:55pm 02/18/2008 - 4:45pm -documentary that goes into gender roles in hip hop and rap music I Love Hip Hop in Morocco 02/08/2008 - 5:30pm 02/18/2008 - 8:40pm -bringing hip hop out of the underground in Morocco
Movement (R)evolution Africa 02/09/2008 - 11:00am 02/18/2008 - 1:30pm "Stunning choreography and riveting critiques challenge stale stereotypes of 'traditional Africa' to unveil soul-shaking responses to the beauty and tragedy of 21st century Africa."
Short Radiography of Hip Hop in Cuba 02/10/2008 - 9:05pm 02/16/2008 - 4:15pm "Despite significant social change in Cuba, Blacks continue to be ostracized and subjugated by a colonial outlook. In 1995, a group of creative young people founded the Rap Festival; since then, the government has taken control of the Hip Hop movement, undermining its intentions."
This is the Life 02/09/2008 - 8:20pm 02/11/2008 - 8:00pm straight out of LA..."The little known story of a group of teenagers, who revolutionized hip hop by innovating the very rhyme patterns, melodic concepts and lyrical styles used by many of today's biggest rap stars."
to catch the film screenings: AMC MAGIC JOHNSON CRENSHAW 15 4020 MARLTON AVENUE LOS ANGELES , CA 90008
These are but a few, there are over 100 films, from animation, to comedies, to documentaries, to murder mysteries. Let's check some out! Well, maybe one...broke college student here.
YO guys, matt N. the hatt over here, dumpin' those links as usual.
First off the bat,
there's this documentary on cambodians that were deported back to cambodia. it documents their stories of how and why they were deported and what they are doin now. I haven't found time to go through the documentary myself, but i hope to get through it sometime in the future. Luckily, there's a 15 episode series cut up by some person on YouTube, so that makes it convenient for all of us to watch. so check check it. Khmer-s Kids got deported back to cambodia.
As for this video, i swear i'm going crazy for this band!!! i loveeeee the video, it's cute (i admit i said the word "cute," i know it's a mooshy corny word, blah blah blah). but i especially love their music, i'm such a dance rock addict. I think they're goin to be my next favorite band. ALSO, they have an official website and has some songs available to download. Scrabbel rocks!!!
khayla has posted up her pics of SB on facebook, let's give her our critique!!!. it has lots of good stuff. we should plan more field trips like this, more hikes, more nature, more art galleries, more film screenings, good stuff good stuff. (WARNING: must be logged on to facebook before opening link)
i'll be posting up the graham cracker shots, black panther film screening shots, pv shots and SB shots by tonight. right now i'm trying to figure out if i should continue using the site i use to upload shots... or change it up...
