Re-Imagining Haiti

International Mon 21-02-2011

Re-Imagining Haiti
Courtesy of mocada.org

This collaborative exhibition offers contemporary work by artists who are examining the spirituality, aesthetics, and re-construction of Haiti. Through an open call, visual, performing and literary artists - as well as musicians and filmmakers - were invited to submit work that is centered on a conceptual rethinking of the cosmological and socio-political conditions in Haiti at the present moment. Over twenty artists were selected to participate in Re-Imagining Haiti featuring works in painting, photography, video, installation, illustration and mixed media.

Forgotten Tapestries by Santo Domingo from Dominican Republic | Image by Tevor Brown

This curatorial partnership also marks the upcoming anniversaries of both CCCADI (35th Anniversary) and MoCADA (11th Anniversary). In response to this joint project, Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Founder and President of Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, states: "The aesthetic perspective, cultural mission and social justice African Diaspora work of MoCADA and CCCADI make us natural collaborators in reaching the global diversity of African descendants and the broader community...from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin and North Americas. This is the beginning of a continuing partnership." Both organizations are thrilled to start the New Year commemorating Haitian history, culture and the survivors of last year's earthquake.

Re-Imagining Haiti : February/ March Programming

Literary Salon: featuring Haiti Noir, edited by Edwidge Danticat
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011
6:30-8:30pm
MoCADA, 80 Hanson Place

Co-presented with the Haiti Cultural Exchange, MoCADA will host a literary salon featuring the new anthology entitled, Haiti Noir (Akashic Books, 2010). The publication is a powerful collection of stories and folklore brought together by the award-winning Haitian-American author, Edwidge Danticat. A few of the contributing authors, Ibi Aanu Zoboi, Josaphat-Robert Large, Katia D. Ulysse and Marie Lily Cerat will be on-site to read from the book and speak about their work in relation to the idea of "re-imagining" Haiti. The event will include a book signing at the conclusion of the evening.

*Light refreshments to follow.

My Spirit is now Free by Santo Domingo Image by Trevor Brown

Vodou At the Crossroads: Conversation with a Mambo and Book Signing
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
6:30-8:30pm
CCCADI, 408 W. 58th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues

Led by a local leader in the Vodou community, this discussion will shed light on contemporary practices of Vodou and how these traditions translate in an urban context outside of Haiti. The presiding Mambo will also provide an overview of the religion and how earth-based spiritual systems can be used to re-construct Haiti and aid in the movement to save the environment. The discussion will be followed by a talk and book signing with exhibiting artist Stephanie Keith, author of Vodou Brooklyn: Five Ceremonies with Mambo Marie Carme (Caribbean Studies Press, 2010).

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Cinematheque: Re-Imagining Haiti Short Film Screening
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
6:30-8:30pm
MoCADA, 80 Hanson Place

Co-presented with the Haiti Cultural Exchange, MoCADA will host a screening of short films to highlight the work of exhibiting artists, Michele Stephenson's, One Day, One Destiny, 2010 and The Other Side of the Water, 2009 by Jeremy Robins and Magali Damas. The filmmakers will be on-site for discussion and Q & A after the screening.

About MoCADA

MoCADA is committed to fostering a greater awareness and appreciation of the arts and cultures of the African Diaspora as it relates to contemporary urban issues. The experiences and cultural contributions of people of African descent have been marginalized throughout history and MoCADA's mission is to undertake the responsibility of rewriting that history in order to give a more accurate portrayal of the contributions of people of African descent to the artistic and global landscape.

Re-Imagining Haiti is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts - A State Agency and private funds from Lissner Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Time Warner Inc, the Andy Warhol Foundation and the Lambent Foundation. Operational support has been made possible through the generosity of the following public servants: State Senators Velmanette Montgomery, Eric Adams, Kevin Parker, John Sampson, Bill Perkins; City Councilmembers Letitia James, Charles Barron, Bill de Blasio, Albert Vann, David Weprin, Melissa Mark- Viverito, Gale Brewer; Assemblymembers Hakeem Jefferies, Helene Weinstein, Annette Robinson, N. Nick Perry, Carmen Arroyo Inez Barron & Karim Camara.

Posted By: Diana Achieng

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