29.7.10
Art Scene: A Fulbright in Ghana
28.7.10
F.P.R.
Football for Peace and Development
27.7.10
Tuesday's Design - Nour el-Balad
Porch Inspiration
26.7.10
Flickr Finds Africa: Week 07.26.10
23.7.10
Sounds of Africa: Zaki Ibrahim
22.7.10
Let's Talk: Malene B.
Colorful, Diverse, History, Beautiful, Strong
What is one of your favorite memories of time spent on the continent?
Going to Ghana in 1995 and experiencing the Ashanti King Otumfuo Nana Opuko Ware II celebrating his silver jubilee and his 75th birthday. The Ashanti King ruled for 25 years and this was a once in a lifetime event. The stadium was brimming with so many people that they appear to be a sea of colorful dots. I was also lucky enough to have the opportunity to walk to visit and take pictures of the Chiefs and Queen Mothers from around Ghana and neighboring countries in the stadium before the festivities.
What first led you to visit Africa and how did you know that it would become a major inspiration for your work?
During my last year of high school I became culturally aware of my African heritage; I discovered through the arts of Africans and in the Diaspora that art is spiritual, cultural, functional and meaningful. I wanted to stay true to my cultural traditions, so I incorporated my heritage into my work; creating functional works of art.
After reading numerous books about the continent, I of course wanted to visit. Nothing beats experience you gain from having first hand knowledge of a place or culture to complete your experience.
I have a few places in mind: Mali because I love their textiles, wood carvings and architecture. I would to see their largest mosque that’s made out of mud in Djenne, Mali. And Dogon Country where there is amazing stone architecture within the cliffs of the mountains, and weavers and painters making Mudcloth. Ndebele in South Africa who paint their houses in amazing colors and graphic patterns; it’s been very influential in my work. Also, Morocco to see their amazing tile work, experience the food and to explore the markets; Tanzania to check out their potato print fabrics and lastly Seychelles, Madagascar and Cape Verde Islands.
When you are not traveling and designing carpets, what do you like to do?
I like to go to cultural events, restaurants with an international flair and I also enjoy cooking and entertaining at home.
Where is your favorite hang out spot?
No particular spot. I love walking the streets of New York; you can discover so much.
What is your personal soundtrack of the moment?
Lost in Love by Jonathan Butler, I just keep playing the song over and over
Who or what has been your greatest inspiration?
All of the people I surround myself with continue to encourage and support my endeavors
What has been your proudest achievement?
Maintaining a career in the arts
No matter what you do in life someone will always have something to say about your decision. The key is to make your decisions based on what’s going to make you happy rather than others.
What dream do you still want to fulfill?
Learn a second language; I was really good in French back in the day. Hopefully one day I will really be able to become fluent. Also to have a second home in a warm climate country, so I can leave the states when it’s cold and return for the spring and summer.
What book and/or magazine are your reading right now?
House Beautiful, Uptown Magazine and Write it Down Make it Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser.
Clearly this is a woman after my own heart! Not only do I love her designs but my obsession with color and open, cheerful spaces mean that she would literally have to get kicked out of her home! I honestly can't wait to see how both she and her business evolve with time!
Thanks Malene!
20.7.10
You and Mother Nature
Welcome In!
Tuesday's Design - Star Beds
19.7.10
Flickr Finds Africa: Week 07.19.10
Through the Lens: Peter DiCampo
Weekend in Review
- Making dinner for a friend and her husband who I haven't seen in a long time. I got to meet their little son and also learned that she is pregnant with a second child. I love those moments when you look at love ones, see just how happy they are in their lives with their partners, and get filled with joy on their behalf.
- Sleeping more than 12 hours straight. I know, insanity, but I clearly needed the rest and it felt so good to not be disturbed by an alarm.
- Finally picking up some much needed cycling shorts to make long rides more comfortable.
- A long bike ride - 25 miles - despite 90+ degrees outside. The more I ride the more I get anxious for my next bike upgrade to this haute couture of bikes!! Needless to say, a massive savings campaign is underway.
- Hitting the D.C. nightlife as if I were in my 20s again and living through the college experience in a way (read: bar crawl) I never did during those years in Boston.
- After a night partying like it was 1999, a nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon was a direct gift from the gods above!
- Ending the weekend by making a 3-course meal! Simple kasha salad that is my new favorite summer dish + Feta, Mushroom, Turkey Bacon Quiche (something I haven't indulged in over 3 months) + Tropical fruit salad with Tahitian vanilla ice cream. One word for all of that: YUMMY!!
18.7.10
Happy Birthday Mandela
16.7.10
Sounds of Africa: Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra
15.7.10
Let's Talk: Tessa Frootko Gordon
What are the first five words that come to mind when you think about Africa?
Solid ground beneath my feet.
What is one of your favorite memories from time spent in Africa or around other Africans abroad?
For a brief period leading up to the 1994 elections in South Africa I was part of the group in Boston organizing absentee ballots. South Africans voted at the Massachusetts State House. The experience was surreal and overwhelming. The SA flag was raised and we sang the SA National Anthem on the State House steps. I remember having a bouquet of yellow flowers and being dressed in the green yellow and black colors of the ANC.
What is one thing that you think someone would be surprised to learn or see in South Africa?
People may be surprised to find that South Africa is both a first and third world country; that it is so geographically, climactically and culturally diverse. South Africans talk of “ubuntu”- a common humanity and interconnectedness that I think surprises visitors most. A recent example of “ubuntu” is the camaraderie and hospitality expressed by South Africans during the recent world cup.
If you could go to one place on the continent right now, where would it be and why?
Zanzibar- For its location, its Muslim influence and because I am fascinated by the insular nature of islands.
When did you first get interested in photography, and what made you decide to pursue this as a career?
I always wanted to draw or paint but didn’t have the aptitude. Photography seemed to come naturally. I would walk around framing things in my mind. I worked as a clinical social worker for about 10 years, photographing in my spare time. In the early 80s I took a workshop with a the late New York photographer, Lilo Raymond. Then 60,Lilo had started on a successful photo career at aged 40. She became my mentor and urged me to consider photography as a career. I was 35 when I quit social work and started art school. Had it not been for Lilo’s encouragement and support I might still be a social worker.
In a word: Apartheid. I became aware of Apartheid’s injustices when I was about 8 and grew up believing I would eventually leave. My husband and I were both activists. The events of 1976 seemed to make the decision for us, and we left with no set agenda, looking for a country. I still do not know whether this was a correct moral choice even though we continued our activism in the US. We came to Boston because just after we arrived in the US my husband was offered a job here. It was totally serendipitous.
When you are not taking stunning pictures, what else do you like to do?
I work on photo illustration, make journals combining image and text, and take classes in digital imaging. I serve on the boards of a regional symphony orchestra and the cultural alliance of my city. I also follow contemporary singer songwriters and current trends in photography. I am active in progressive Democratic Party politics and mentor a Women’s sewing and beading project in South Africa. I am a magazine junkie, Internet surfer and collector of trivia and the absurd. I also love to bicycle.
Where is your favorite hang out spot?
In Cape Town: The Olympia Café, Kalk Bay, Cape Town
In Boston: The De Luxe Town Diner in Watertown. The nicest people and world’s best pancakes
What is your personal soundtrack right now?
Who or what has been your greatest inspiration?
My Mother
What has been your proudest achievement?
Ten years ago I may have thought my proudest achievement as something career related. I now measure achievement in terms of what I do in individual relationships and relationships with community. Caring for my mother during the ten-month illness leading to her death is undoubtedly the thing I have done best and of which I am proudest of in my life.
What is the best lesson you have learned so far?
The best -sometimes painful lesson- I continue to learn is to trust my instincts
What dream do you still want to fulfill?
I am working on a photographic book about the island of Grenada. My dream is to make this a tangible record of my love of Grenada and evidence of a passionate photographic life.
There are so many great aspects about this interview starting with "solid ground beneath my feet!" I really hope you have enjoyed this chat now all you need to do if click over to her site to explore so much more of her beautiful images.
Thanks Tessa!
{Photos: Tessa Frootko Gordon}