HARLEM OBSERVATION: "gentrification" is only a dirty word to the people who practice it. To the displaced, the echo of hollowness is deafening, as culture gets colored away to make room for a bistro. --OM

EXHIBITION: Old Harlem, New Harlem: Images of Transformation

Check out this new exhibition I'm in: Old Harlem/New Harlem: Images of Transformation. OPENING RECEPTION is Friday August 10, at 6:00p.m. This is going to be an amazing exhibit! Hope to see you there!

List of Photographers Anthony Barboza Lenore Brown  Kwame Brathwaite  John Brathwaite  Adger Cowans  Sonia Louise Davis Lisa DuBois  John Pinderhughes  Shawn Walker  Lewis Watts  Lee White  Burroughs Lamar Antwan Minter  Deborah Willis Ocean Morisset Adriana Lopez Sanfeliu Jamel Shabazz  Klytus Smith "Please join us at the opening of an exhibition of Fine Art Collectible Photographs that document the transformation of Harlem from an Afro-American village in upper Manhattan that was racially homogeneous and culturally unique, to a multiracial, multi-ethnic community which, though still predominantly Afro-American, has evolved into a cosmopolitan Milieu. Afro-Americans lived in relative isolation in this upper Manhattan enclave” until the new millennium. For most of the 20th Century this change was a dramatic and unforeseen development. This exhibition being of historical importance, highlights key moments that focus on the expression of the people of Harlem. This exhibition of poignant photographic images by outstanding photographers captures the unique culture of Harlem between 1960 to 2012 and illustrates the forces that led to dramatic change. It is living history through pictures that capture rare moments in Afro-American history and provides another dimension to the saga of the world’s greatest city." - Written by Playthell Benjamin. This exhibit is made possible by the Broadway Housing Communities, located in Harlem- a non for profit organization that is devoted the the arts. The exhibit OPENS on August 10th, 2012 in the Rio II Penthouse Gallery; a beautiful space overlooking the Hudson River. SUPPORTERS for this exhibit . The gallery Penthouse Patio will be decorated by Sandra Fuller (SILK FLOWERS OF CARE FULLER CREATIONS )jehnyahmee2@aol.com www.silkflowersofcare.8m.c

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Promo Postcards by John Kutchera -
Harlem resident and Independent artist and supporter of the Arts

To be a supporter for this exhibit > contact Lisadubois@verizon.net or A.D. Minter on facebook - Peace of mind publishing. By supporting this exhibit, you support the promotion of art in Harlem.https://www.facebook.com/

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“He who cannot dance will say: "The drum is bad”

--African Proverb

Today, while perusing the salad bar at Whole Foods, I noticed a petite woman from behind with a “clean” bald head, the top of which reflected the lights coming from the spot lights above. This was a familiar baldness that I recognized as an effect of chemo when it ravages the cells in the body. Immediately, I figured her to be a person with cancer. I tried to position myself where I could see her face and body, but everywhere I moved around the salad bar, I still only met the back of her head, or small glimpses of her profile. 

As I reached to spoon some brown rice in my container, the woman turned and walked over in my direction, affording me the opportunity to get a full view. Though her gait seemed weak, her wide, sky-blue eyes revealed a strength and determination I had known all too well. Her long white sundress was cut low enough at the top, exposing what I immediately recognized as a port-a-cath…the same one I still have implanted in my chest. I was immediately taken aback, mostly by her pride and courage that she exuded. Her light was so powerful-- I moved to the other side of the salad bar and stood directly across from her. She seemed oblivious to my curiosity as she checked off items on a handwritten list. In this very moment, I wanted to say something to this woman, who exhibited warrior traits. I wanted to tell her that I too fought cancer, and won. I wanted her to see me as an example that there IS life after cancer. I wanted to encourage her to keep fighting, recalling how every bit of encouragement from friends and strangers helped me in my own fight. At the same time, I felt awkward, because I was now staring at this woman, hoping she would free me of the embarrassment of having to strike up a conversation. I was overtaken by the power of this warrior in a petite frame. I wanted at once to share my highs and lows with her. As I studied her port, I wondered if she thought I was looking at her breasts. And just while all these thoughts rushed into my being, the woman’s eye’s met mine, and she smiled knowingly and proudly at me, and I returned the smile, even beaming back at her. The warrior-woman sealed lunch her container and walked off to the register. All that I wanted to share with her was received. Or so I believed…