Day: October 31, 2022

Posted in Feature Spotlight, On the Desk...

For All My ATL Folks! “Our Friend Jean: HBCU Tour” at Clark Atlanta University Art Museum

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

For my ATL peeps!! This might be something of interest for you!! As part of the HBCU Exhibition Tour, Our Friend Jean is a one-week Pop up Exhibition Featuring 20+ of Jean-Michel Basquiat “Early Works“.

Our Friend, Jean is a sampling of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s earliest works on loan from several collectors who knew him intimately, as friends, collaborators, and lovers. Featuring 20+ artworks including drawings, writings, apparel, mixed media collages, and ephemera. The group of collectors consists of Jane Diaz, Hilary Jaeger, Katie Taylor, Lucy Sante, Al Diaz, and photographer Alexis Adler who also served as a co-curator with Erwin John and Stevenson Dunn, Jr.. Through this exhibition each collector shares uniquely intimate stories of their friend Jean.

The exhibition lends a voice to the unsung collectors of the world, those who offer an artist critical early support out of genuine friendship. It is precisely this type of support that can spring board an artist’s career to unimaginable heights. Friendship is what distinguishes the group of collectors who are lending their works to the “Our Friend, Jean” exhibition.

This exhibition was curated by The Bishop Gallery and supported by the Hennessey, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and The Black Group.

The exhibition is free and will be housed at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum from October 28-November 4.

For more information and to register to attend, see here!!

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Feature Spotlight, On The Radar

Featured Upcoming Panel Conversation with Dr. G!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

On November 06, 1992, a group of students stood in protest against an act of racism at Georgia State University. This protest, and the demands that they issued to the university, led to the creation of the department of African-American Studies (now Africana Studies). To honor their courage, as well as those that supported them, we will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the protests during the 2022-2023 academic year.

On November 3rd, I have the pleasure of giving back to one of my alma maters, Georgia State University-Department of Africana Studies. As part of the 30th Anniversary Celebration events, I will be participating in a Freedom School Panel with Alumni professors.

The panel will take place November 3rd at 7pm via Zoom.

To register for the panel and for more information about the entire week of events, check out the following link!!

Posted in Jaya's Pop Culture Minute-PCM, On The Radar

Jaya’s Pop Culture Minute-PCM- “Halloween Edition”

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Long time no see! For this special edition of PCM, I will be discussing/ reviewing the “scary”
movies that have been the background to my spooky season full of college apps. So without
further ado here are just some of the films I have watched this month.

Werewolf by Night (2022):
This was a new Marvel project that greatly surprised me. Recently I have not been drawn to
Marvel like I once was but this immediately caught my attention. It was a new project and
endeavor not tied to a major superhero and inspired by the classic black-and-white horror
movies of the 50s. The aesthetics that have been drawn from those old movies are definitely
present. My only complaint would be that it should have been longer but I would definitely
recommend it. Rating: 4 out of 5

Beetlejuice (1988):
A classic Halloween movie that I cannot believe I have not seen before. The film nerd in
me has kicked myself for not watching this movie before even though I had enjoyed the
musical years ago during the height of my musical theater nerd. The practical effects
that I will mention later in this post add so much charm and character to the movie. Also,
the cast is absolutely stacked and it adds to the movie especially Michael Keaton as
Beetlejuice himself. Rating: 4 out of 5

Dracula (1958):
An oldie but surprisingly a goodie (in my opinion). It took me a while to watch a “Dracula” movie in
any iteration after reading the book a year ago, but with HBO MAX adding classic movies to
their platform because of Halloween it was the perfect opportunity to watch. As cheesy as old
scary movies always are, it was still a fun movie to watch and just enjoy because it was so
ridiculous. Watching old movies is always enjoyable because you get to see what has
influenced filmmakers today, especially in the horror and scary movie genre. Rating: 3 ½ out of 5

Eraserhead (1977):
Another classic that everyone talks about but I have never seen it before recently. Previously
the only David Lynch project that I have seen was Twin Peaks, but after watching it this
definitely matches his style. It was unsettling and disturbing like some episodes of Twin Peaks
but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Even though on the outside it seems like a psychological
thriller movie I personally interpreted the movie as a story of a father that has been thrust into the world of fatherhood prematurely and struggling to find his bearings within this new dynamic. On the less serious side, I finally understood the Eraserhead baby jokes and yes that baby was super freaky not gonna lie.
Rating: 3 ½ out of 5

So hopefully this has provided you with some good recommendations for movies for the end of
October!

~Jaya L. Robinson

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com