Phd artist retreat continues

Chocolate Ori Crown

So here we are in Leeds during this year of lockdown or as others putting a positive spin on it call it, artist retreat!! To date in my practice as research project looking at the influence of Yoruba (Edekiri) culture on artistic (afropolitan) practices in Leeds, i have:

-Started and stopped creating a mud Ori head sculpture (work in progress) –Started bits of installation ideas for a scheduled exhibition at East St arts (cancelled) -lost access to own studio, university 3d studio and music studio

However;

I created a lock down exhibition series of small marquettes as shown above using masking tape, found confectionery packaging, discarded perfume bottles, etc.

I have also recorded close to 30 pieces of music in logic pro x informed by the various aspects of Yoruba culture eg the concept of Ori, Iwa Pele and honouring ancestors. This also includes creating songs for the Nomad Woman musical, depicting Osun the goddess of love, Ori Olokun, Ogun, etc as they journey alongside Yoruba peoples I feel in disguise within the spiritual practices we often find ourselves involved in at church, etc!!

I have also created new lyrics, poetry and narrations and in the middle of completing my next book in response to the BLM crisis.

I have created music videos documenting the process of creating the sculptures.

i have written up two case study drafts, a 10,000 word document on Afropolitanism, collated a Yoruba world migration history timeline (and still working on), a host of reflexive writings including this blog, posted on Instagram and twitter.

Performed finally on Zoom events and aim to resurrect my radio show.

etc, etc, etc……………

I did get a 2 week umbrella of access (socially distanced, on my own with mask, following the COVID protocol) to the 3d studio at university where I’d started to create two large sculptures based on the crown Ori mini maquettes until my card was blocked from entry into the studio leading to a mini break down on campus!! I really do not understand why I am not allowed continuous access!!! Nothing makes sense, the lock down conditions say University remains open and we have confirmation from the VC that we can come into uni!!! 😦

Large Hatshepsut Ori Crown- Oct work begun, in progress, but… 😦

Anyway, given up hope on that now and will focus on more writing, chapter outlines, case studies of carnival queen and carnival messiah.

I’ll continue to attend online seminars, lectures, q&a and i gave a presentation about my research at the last research cafe!! yay!!

oh wow, Lawrence just brought me some yummy food so break time!! 🙂

Afropolitan Melodies

Get me back in the studio…

Afropolitan

Afropolitan is a term constructed from the name Africa and the ancient Greek word πολίτης, meaning ‘citizen’. It is an attempt at redefining African phenomena by placing emphasis on ordinary citizens’ experiences in Africa. Afropolitanism is similar to the older Panafricanism ideology. Wikipedia

Melodies, plural of melody

Melody A melody, also tune, voice or line, is a linear succession of musical tones that the listener perceives as a single entity. In its most literal sense, a melody is a combination of pitch and rhythm, while more figuratively, the term can include successions of other musical elements such as tonal color. Wikipedia

Studio Praxis

Nomad woman Exhibition

Real Women Shows Series 1

https://m.mixcloud.com/lararoseafro/

 

Vinyl Art

Mixing New Real Women Show has been challenging this week!!! But managed to create some media audio wav file art!!

So finally listening to a first mix down as garage band and le old Macbook can’t cope!! Not enough memory!!! Aggghhhh!!

To instagram!! Haha hashtag!! 😃

Galleria L’artiste “Vinyl Art”

#vinyl #vinylart #art #cd #album #colour #wav #audio #tracks #music  #files #garageband #applemac #imac #ibook #itunes #nomadwoman #omolararose #Planetzolga #digitalart #photography #photocontest #dada #universe #lawofattraction

Digital age on the train, through a tunnel, upload error message, interruption…

© Lara Rose 2016

Nomad Woman

Nomad Woman
by Lara Rose
Buy Now  £1 GBP  or more

https://lararose1.bandcamp.com/

lyrics

I was born in a land, that is cold, yes it snows,
Mama was passing through, gave me no choice, only she knows
Just like a creo cookie, milky white & chocolate brown
Jealous, angry peers, they call me a living lie

CHORUS
Don’t know who I am boy
Don’t know what I am Lord
Mama, Please tell me, there’s a plan here
Cos what I am, don’t wanna be
A nomad woman

I sometimes think I’m from another place
On a mission here, from outerspace
Is Planet Zolga a reality?
I’m trying to place my identity

CHORUS
Don’t know who I am boy
Don’t know what I am Lord
Mama Please tell me, there’s a plan here
Cos what I am, don’t wanna be
A nomad woman

Bridge
AfroScat

CHORUS
Don’t know who I am boy
Don’t know what I am Lord
Mama, Please tell me, there’s a plan here
Cos what I am, don’t wanna be
A nomad woman

CHORUS
Don’t know who I am boy
Don’t know what I am Lord
Mama, Please tell me, there’s a plan here
Cos what I am, don’t wanna be
A nomad woman

© Lara Rose

Happy St Patrick’s Day!!

Beyonce as Sarah Baartman. Freedom of Expression!

Freedom of expression

So why did I get so enraged to write on this topic, after reading a fb post on Beyonce wanting to potray Saartjie “Sarah” Baartman!

I was shocked by some of the negative comments. I’m not gonna repeat them but  I will say Beyonce has the freedom to express herself as she sees fit. She also has the freedom to research anyone in history of interest and tell their story.

Who made us the judge over anyone’s creative or expressive ability?!  

Every human being (carbon unit) has the right to express themselves artistically, be it singing, acting, writing, building sand castles, playing jazz music, drawing, blowing bubbles, standing on your head, whatever!!

This innate expressive instinct is demonstrated daily in the clothes we wear to the food we cook, etc.

As long as you are not forcing your will on another, being abusive or exploitative of another, I believe every human has the freedom with love and grace to express themselves in anyway they choose!!

As Madonna put it, “Express Yourself!”

I say, “Create whatever you need to thrive on earth and keep on the journey towards the greatest expression of yourself”.

I get fed up of people judging others, putting people down over their expression of themselves!!

I get fed up of hearing the perpetual berating of creatives by other creatives.

The hierarchical, superiority, elitist mindset sometimes exhibited by some who have excelled in a creative art is tiresome. Aggggh!!

Anti-Art post modernity

I love the freedom of expression cultivated by post modern Anti-Art and Dada movements, etc. The irony is art or new art is only created when someone breaks the rules and does something out of the mold.

Or sometimes, someone’s “limited” range of expression, yet highly focused application, sometimes coupled with creative innovative use of current technology, creates art that brings joy to the creator and audiences!

As Will Smith says, “beating on your craft!”

Fo example, Auto-Tune and Vocoders are tools that created new unique sounds in music production.  Cher, Daft Punk, Herbie Hancock, etc revolutionized the way we look at creating and expressing music.

Conversely, in the visual art world, Anti-Art and Dada movements deconstructed what art should be. This cultivated varying trains of thought ranging from art for art’s sake, expressionism to the use of Ready-made’s as art.

Artist such as Man Ray, Beauchamp, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst, Yinka Shonibare, etc all break the conventional artist rules in their work!

Initially, usually looked down at by the elitist of the time. The art form finally gains acceptance when from underground  it gathers speed and momentum.

And even more so when financiers can see how the art form can be monetized and sold to the masses!!

I believe every human being is creative and expressive in some form or the other.

What pleases one may not please the other.

But all is creative and expressive and valid, from the slender, feather weight, pointed toe ballerina to the flat foot, big bottomed pantomime performer. 😊

© Lara Rose 2016

(Also this could be a great marketing ploy to get everyone talking about this, kudos!! It worked!!! Now I really want to see Beyonce do this!! Look forward to it, well done girl, keep expressing yourself and creating art!)