Thank you to The MAP Fund, a program of Creative Capital supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, for including the Allied Media Projects as part of their 2012 grantees. The Fund will underwrite 41 new projects in the disciplines of dance, theater and music, all works that in some way explore the boundaries of contemporary performance practices.
More about what the grant will support:
Complex Movements is an interactive hip-hop performance that will use video projection, sculptural art, and creative technologies to explore the relationship between complex sciences and social-justice movements. Complex Movements is led by Invincible, an acclaimed hip-hop artist, features music production by Waajeed, and includes a sculptural-multimedia installation designed and created by Wesley Taylor.
At the core of complex science is the idea that change occurs through critical connections rather than critical mass. Hip-hop is a creative medium well suited to tell the story of complex science: it evolves non-linearly through small-scale relationships—through the interplay of lyrical meaning and sound within songs, the process of reconstructing rhythmic patterns through sampling, and the transmission of resilience strategies between marginalized communities around the globe.
Invincible and Waajeed's music will communicate these concepts through dense, mind-bending lyricism and futuristic hip-hop musical arrangements. Wesley Taylor’s installation work will set the stage for the performance, representing each song through sculptural and video elements that interact with performers and the audience, creating feedback loops of participation.
Thanks to our friends over at ArtServe's Creative Impact Michigan for a feature on EMERGENCE co-founder and celebrated artist, Wesley Taylor: “I like complexity over simplicity,” states Taylor as he discusses his inspirations and points of view. “the future and the idea that the future holds things that have been predicted but are not possible yet inspires me -things like time travel. A lot of my artistic endeavors are centered on my favorite themes of science and complexity. I see complexity in the structure of nature and scientific principles but I also see complexity in communities.”
“Emergence Media is deeply rooted in activist work – through this work I find myself being involved in community building,” said Taylor. “Our interconnectivity can bring about change, and that is the idea that our company was founded on – emergent theory. We draw inspiration from change, and display those images of change in performance. We emulate those images using new technology."
Detroit artist Wesley Taylor in collaboration with hip hop activist Invincible is one of nine winners in ArtServe’s Michigan’s new Community Supported Arts program supporting local talent. Winners will receive a $1,000 stipend to produce 50 pieces of art to be sold in shares this spring.
Taylor is a graphic designer, fine artist, musician and curator. He has spent many years “scene building” in the Detroit hip hop community by participating as both an emcee and graphic designer. He is co-founder of Emergence Media with Invincible.
For the Community Supported Art Program, Wesley is contributing ornate, battery-powered music boxes featuring a series of LED generated rotating light and shadow scenes relating to the lyrics of original song, “Apple Orchards,” written and performed by Invincible.
Check out the full video footage of the Born in Flames tour in Paris, France at the Sons D'Hiver festival. Featuring Invincible with Waajeed, Jean Grae with Mr. Len, and Tamar-kali with her band.
Look out for Born in Flames tour dates in America next month. For more information on the tour, head over to the Born in Flames website.
To celebrate the opening of Cranbrook Art Museum's No Object is an Island exhibit, a collection of Detroit musicians and performance artists took to the stage. Over the course of two weekends, Invincible, Monica Blaire, The Rarities, DJ Mike Medow, jessica care moore, DJ Mel Wonder, The Foundation All Stars, 14KT, Miz Korona and Tunde Olariran electrified the audience with their art, music, and voices. Check out some footage and photographs from the last weekend of the event and be sure to visit Cranbrook Art Museum and all it has to offer.
The Foundation, DJ Mel Wonder, & jessica care moore
Kresge Arts in Detroit Director Michelle Perron and Invincible joined Craig to talk about the foundation's artist fellowship. Invincible gives WDET a special live, on-air performance of "Cass Corridor," produced by Waajeed.
Click here for the full interview and performance.
"Detroit based hip-hop artist, INVINCIBLE, is a living example that art and everyday life can and should coexist in seamless cooperation. Beyond just producing and performing her music, she is a dedicated community organizer and record label entrepreneur. Still, that didn't stop her from taking the time to give CREATIVE IMPACT MICHIGAN DOT COM an inside look at how the arts are impacting the social discussion in the state of Michigan."
"Recently, Berkeley-born rapper Lil’ B made headlines after he announced at Coachella that he plans to title his next album “I’m Gay.” The artist, who steadfastly denies actually being gay, says that he’s trying to prove a point, make a statement about misogyny and hip-hop. Or whatever.
Lost in all the hoopla was the fact that there already exists a crop of openly queer rappers who have been making music for years. They’re talented, proud, but when it comes to mainstream media, they’re often ignored. So I reached out to some of the industry’s best and brightest to get their take on the really gay rappers who should be getting our attention. Writer and activist Kenyon Farrow summed up the bigger picture nicely when he wrote in an email: “I wish we could focus more energy and our money on artists in the community, rather than falling all over ourselves for straight people to validate our existence.”
Check out this recap video of the Born in Flames Tour Premier at SXSW 2011. The Born in Flames Tour featuring Invincible, Jean Grae, and Tamar-kali is now available for fall bookings. To book the tour in your city or campus visit http://borninflamestour.com/.
"Fire Mic/Hammer" t-shirt
"I Don't Write Rhymes I Write Ransom Notes" t-shirt
"Black & Red Mic/Hammer" t-shirt
"Black & Green Mic/Hammer" t-shirt
INVINCIBLE - ShapeShifters CD digipak
INVINCIBLE - ShapeShifters 12"
DETROIT SUMMER LIVE ARTS MEDIA PROJECT - Rising Up From the Ashes CD
SLINGSHOT HIP HOP - DVD
THE NARCICYST - S/T CD
FINALE - A Pipe Dream And A Promise CD
