#kavi gupta

[applesaucesims]

It was only his second proper ballet lesson, but Louis still felt like a fish out of water. The other boys seemed to know exactly what they were doing, especially César, who had been learning pretty much his entire life.

So, trying to regain his usually so much more confident self, he took to asking his classmate for advice. César seemed to feel very secure in his own skills, so much so that he admitted that dancing just came to him naturally. When it came down to it, he did not recall ever worrying about what could go wrong. Instead, he'd just let his own body lead the way.

While this so-called advice felt a bit more like brag, Louis could read between the lines and apply it to his situation. He had definitely been worrying too much about how he compared to the other students, but there really was no reason to. Everybody had to start somewhere, and they were all here for the same reason - to learn to be a better dancer. So, pushing his worries aside for the moment, Louis let his body flow as it felt right, and for the first time, he felt like he was really a part of the class.

The class's warmup exercises were interrupted, when a man wearing a jacket similar to the students' own uniform cleared his throat behind them. The man introduced himself as Mr. Booth, the teacher who would host the boys' lessons, while the girls were with Miss Lambert. His aura was almost as intimidating as Miss Lambert's, though his casual stance and small smile softened it the tiniest bit.

As Mr. Booth continued introducing his teachings, he made his way to the still silent gramophone, next to which he discarded his jacket and shirt, until he was dressed down to his undershirt. His outfit almost seemed akin to that of the students now, which already gave them indication enough for what his next moves would be.

Gracefully, Mr. Booth started performing a short and simple dance routine. Though it was not quite the same, Louis almost felt transported back into the theatre loge, watching the professional dancers perform on stage. Really, Mr. Booth was a profession, too, so perhaps it was not that different after all.

However, the one big difference was that this dance was performed specifically for the class to practice. Mr. Booth went through the routine one more time, before encouraging his students to repeat after him. Louis watched as his teacher turned to play a classical record on the gramophone, while his own nerves started dancing all over the place again. "Take a deep breath," he thought to himself. "Just let go."

The students formed a line next to their teacher, as they waited for his countdown, and soon the line started moving back and forth, repeating the moves they had just learned. Somehow, the music helped lessen the nerves, too, as it drowned out any worries.

Bit by bit, Louis could feel the moves becoming easier with every run. Soon, his mind faded out his surroundings, and he started imagining himself performing on the big stage. Feeling light as a feather now, a smiled formed on his face, not disappearing again for the rest of the school day.

[TRANSCRIPT]

Louis: "I don't know..."

César: "You're too tense, Lou. Just... take a deep breath, recentre yourself, focus, and.. just let go!"

...

Mr. Booth: "Ahem. Good morning, boys!"

"morning" / "good morning" / "morning"

Mr. Booth: "My name is Mr. Booth. Miss Lambert might have already mentioned me to you."

Mr. Booth: "Yesterday, you already discussed some basics. Did some warmups for what's to come. But, today..."

*crack*

Mr. Booth: "I want you to get into the practice of it all! I've been trained to dance, just like you will be. One thing that's always helped me is visual learning. So, let me demonstrate."

...

Mr. Booth: "Alright. Your turn."

[sheltiechicago]

“Portrait of Shirley Chisholm” (2022).

Otherworldly Vistas and Noble Portraits Celebrate Life’s Mysteries in Sherman Beck’s Vibrant Paintings

One of the original ten members of the groundbreaking Chicago-based artist collective AFRICOBRA founded in 1968, Sherman Beck paints vibrant portrayals of Black family, ancestry, and community that celebrate the wonder and mysticism of everyday life. In a retrospective at Kavi Gupta, paintings made during the past five decades explore themes of cultural identity, multidimensional time and space, and the origins of life.

“The Boat” (2012)

“Untitled” (2022)

“Ancestors” (c. 1990)

[guy60660]

©Esmaa Mohamoud | Kavi Gupta | Sandra Oviedo | Financial Times

[elegieenbleu]

ROGER BROWN / 

Theatre, 1968 Source Kavi Gupta Gallery

[stitched-mouth]

List of Every Brandon Rogers Characters Ever

I don’t know why I did this. It took 4 hours. I haven’t seen ever Brandon Rogers video (shocking, I know) so some are missing. I purposely didn’t add any parody characters (the Kardashians, Annabell, M3GAN etc), but if you notice any BRCU characters missing, please comment so I can add them.

And obviously the characters not credited are played by Brandon Rogers.

David July is credited as David Burton on this list. I’m not sure when they changed their name, as they are credited as both on Brandon’s videos.

I can’t remember who Debbie and Doyle are but I must of put them on this list for a reason

Main Characters

Sam

Bryce Tankthrust

Bobby Worst

Blame/Sebastian/ Grandpa

Elmer

Cathy

Karen

Helen Brownstein

Stuff & Sam

Donna Phitts (Paulette Jones)

Damien (Onision)

Ms Cunney (Monique Parent)

Blame the Hero

Young Donna Phitts (Alariza Nevarez)

Duke Tuggler (Anthony Padilla)

Coach Best (Jack Plotnick)

Skinny Bitch (Kornbread Jeté)

Dill Flippo (Jonathan Hinman)

Family Doctor Office

Dr Gupta

Nurse Kavi (Nandini Minocha)

Lipschtiz the Clown (Paulette Jones)

Surgeon Miller (Jude B. Lanston)

Nurse Hole (Georgina Leahy)

Patient (Adam Neylan)

Another Patient (Jonathan Hinman)

Daniel (Jess Weaver)

Daniel’s Mother (Christine Sydelko)

Mad tea party

Mad Hatter

Cheshire Cat (Bazil)

White Rabbit (Benjamin Alexander Hall)

The Jabberwocky (Natalie Hawkins)

Flower (Jordan)

No one was credited in this video and most were personal friends of Brandon’s and not content creators so are nearly impossible to find. I had to stalk Brandon’s Insta to find these people.

BTW, Bazil (who plays Cheshire Cat) is a trans man who goes by he/him. Just letting people know because people are misgendering him and I assume it’s because they don’t know his pronouns.

Theatre Class

Alex Rimmer

Mason Lucas (Salim Razawi)

Oliver Hamilton (Stephen Weighill)

Linda Starford (Janet McCarroll)

Karen Shou (Karen Fokes)

Jamie (Adam Neylan)

Marlena Lewton (Rachael Ferris)

Dean Shaft (Tony Rogers)

Trump’s Emotions

Joy

Anger (Stephen James)

Disgust, Fear and Sadness were not credited in this skit and I can’t guess with all the makeup or find them.

Fashion

Jurgen Klausvonschwitz

Damien Ditsin (Logan Bubar)

Gretchen (Paulette Jones)

Sookilah (Judyth Brooke)

Dolorio (Devyne Carr)

Cheap Skate

Luxy

Lost Boy (Adam Neylan)

Chick Flick (the first Brandon Roger’s Video I ever watched)

Ashley

Ashley’s Best Friend (Vincent Marcus)

Ashley’s Crush / Cop (Jon Cozart)

Ashley’s Mom (Christine Sykdelko)

Teacher (Jude B. Lanston)

Doctor (Jonathan Hinman)

The Real Patient/ Dick’s Owner (Skye Williams)

The Real Patient’s Wife (Adam Neylan)

5 Year Old (Paulette Jones)

Since this video is now restricted on YouTube, I did this one from memory. I can’t believe I remember all these characters and actors. Thank God I rewatched it like a billion times when I first found it.

Mad funhouse

Mr Marbles/ Arlo

Dave (Jess Weaver)

Cliff (TJ Smith)

Sacha (Elise Christian)

Jimmy (Alex Diehl)

Manjusha (Nandini Minocha)

Mr Chronis (Jude Lanston)

Nuclear family

Barbara

Frank

Daniel/ Echo Noir

Unnamed Daughter

Devontay (?) (Devyne Carr)

The Office

Dorian Ditsin

James Shaft (Stephen Rezza)

Vishalam Rangan (Natalie Hawkins)

Jimmy Rustler (Benjamin Hall)

Craig Dildon (Stephen James)

Ernie (Seth Munson)

Diesel (David Burton)

Kevin (Davis Benz)

Regina (Georgina Leahy)

British Family/ The Mingeworthys

Lord Mingeworthy

Lady Mingeworthy (Georgina Leahy)

Cockwaddle (David Burton)

James (Davis Benz)

Blood & Makeup

Blah Blah the Clown

Whoopsie Wendy (Elise Christian)

Dumb Bitch Linda (Kornbread Jeté)

Blonde Bitch (David Burton)

Percy the Pervert (Adam Neylan)

Christmas Family/ The Hendersons

Patty Henderson

Paul Henderson (Stephen James)

Shelby Henderson (Caleb Shorey)

Unnamed Daughter (Elise Christian)

Spike (Logan Bubar)

The Devil (Paulette Jones)

Uncle Frank (Gabriel Gonzalez)

Notice how often Brandon forgets to name the daughter in his skits 👀?

Silly Cat

Clifton

Lenny/ Daddy (Jon Cozart)

Dr Williams (Sky Williams)

Wild West

Lucius Cowpussy

Vivian Delonprix (Georgina Leahy)

Map Maker Milton (Logan Bubar)

Lesbians

Darlene

Kathleen (Adam Neylan)

Power (David Burton)

Rock (Georgina Leahy)

Damien (?) (Logan Bubar)

Cheaters

Trina

Delilah

Gustavo

Unnamed Husband

Sleep Paralysis Demons

Felix

Iris (Paulette Jones)

Chad (Gary Nohealii Neil)

The Laundromat

Clyde Can

Bart (Joel Haver)

Debra (Mitsy Sanderson)

Barbara Ditliminor (?) (Adam Neylan)

The North Pole (included this group for fun)

Santa Clause

Mrs Clause (Christine Sydelko)

Gingerbread Man (Jude B. Lanston)

Female Elf (Georgina Leahy)

Male Elf (David Burton)

Head Elf (Kornbread Jeté)

Jesus (Jess Weaver)

Rudolph (Paulette Jones)

Tiny Tim (Jack Plotnick)

Characters I Didn’t Know Where To Put

Suck (Dominiq Badiyo)

Swallow (David Burton)

Beatrice Brownstein (Paulette Jones)

Judey Patoody (Jude B. Lanson)

Gloria Goopty (Kornbread Jeté)

Courtney (Liam Krug)

Ryder (Kassius Marcil-Green)

Barbara Worst (Katie Johnson)

American boyfriend (Ben Furney)

Ignaolo (Gabriel Gonzalez)

Debbie (Trevor Wallace)

Doyle (Trevor Wallace)

Carol Cox

Japanese Girlfriend

Deeno

Flint Dicker

Delmar Lysol

Humanoid Simulation XL-57692/ Simian

Double Licker Leroy

Paisley

Hole Bros

Rafał Sanchez Dimelo

Noah

Bryce is my favourite

[supersonicart]

Isabella Mellado.

Exceptional contemporary figurative works from San Juan, Puerto Rico born artist Isabella Mellado.

Mellado, now based in Chicago, is renowned for her magical realist paintings exploring latinidad, queer identity, and tarot, working across various media such as painting, photography, costume design, digital collage, and sculpture.

Mellado's work has been showcased in prestigious venues such as Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago, Walter Otero Contemporary Art in San Juan, Pulse Contemporary Art Fair in Miami, The Ponce Biennial in Ponce, and MECA Art Fair in San Juan, among others. She has also participated in residencies at Ox-Bow in Saugatuck, Michigan, the Studios at Mass MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts, and the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont.

THE SUPERSONIC ART SHOP | FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

[abwwia]

Deborah Kass, 12 Red Barbras (the Jewish Jackie Series), 1993, acrylic and screenprint on canvas, 60 x 54 x 2 inches.

Photo : Courtesy the artist and Kavi Gupta, Chicago. Deborah Kass (born 1952) is an American artist whose work explores the intersection of pop culture, art history, and the construction of self. Deborah Kass works in mixed media, and is most recognized for her paintings, prints, photography, sculptures and neon lighting installations. Via Wikipedia

[abstracteddistractions]

Roxy Paine, "PMU NO. 44," 2018,

Acrylic on linen,

45 x 65 x 3 in (114.3 x 165.1 x 7.6 cm)

Courtesy: Kavi Gupta

[hotelmaidenresidency]

Hotel Maiden Residency: The Best Marriage Halls in Ghaziabad

When it comes to hosting a dream wedding in Ghaziabad, Hotel Maiden Residency is the perfect venue. Known for its elegant interiors, impeccable service, and state-of-the-art facilities, the hotel offers some of the best marriage halls in Ghaziabad. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, Hotel Maiden Residency ensures your special day is memorable and stress-free.

Why Choose Hotel Maiden Residency for Your Wedding?

1. Stunning Marriage Halls

Hotel Maiden Residency boasts versatile and beautifully designed banquet halls that can accommodate weddings of various sizes.

Elegant Décor: Modern yet customizable interiors to suit your wedding theme.

Flexible Space: From cozy gatherings to large-scale weddings, the halls are tailored to fit your guest list.

Perfect Ambiance: Air-conditioned halls with mood lighting and premium seating arrangements.

2. Prime Location

Located in Kavi Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hotel Maiden Residency offers a central and easily accessible venue for your guests. Its proximity to major transport hubs and city landmarks ensures everyone can arrive conveniently.

3. Customizable Catering Services

Delight your guests with exceptional catering services tailored to your preferences:

Multi-Cuisine Options: Choose from Indian, Chinese, Continental, and more.

Special Menus: Customizable menus for vegetarian, vegan, or dietary restrictions.

Live Counters: Add an interactive touch with live food stations.

4. Comprehensive Wedding Packages

Hotel Maiden Residency offers all-inclusive wedding packages to simplify your planning:

Venue and décor setup.

Catering and service staff.

Audio-visual equipment for music and presentations.

Complimentary bridal suite for the couple.

5. Attention to Detail

The dedicated event planning team at Hotel Maiden Residency ensures every detail is taken care of, including:

Stage design and floral arrangements.

Seating layouts and table settings.

Coordination with photographers, DJs, and other vendors.

Reviews from Happy Clients

"We hosted my sister’s wedding at Hotel Maiden Residency, and it was an unforgettable experience. The hall was stunning, the food was amazing, and the staff made sure everything went smoothly!"– Ananya Singh

"The team at Hotel Maiden Residency made our wedding day so special. From the décor to the food, everything was perfect. Highly recommended!"– Rahul and Priya Gupta

Why It’s One of the Best Marriage Halls in Ghaziabad

Luxurious Setting: Modern facilities with a touch of elegance.

Affordable Packages: High-quality services without breaking the bank.

Convenience: Prime location and ample parking for guests.

Plan Your Dream Wedding Today

If you’re looking for the best marriage hall in Ghaziabad, Hotel Maiden Residency is the perfect choice. Let their team handle the details while you focus on creating lifelong memories.

 For more information - https://hotelmaidenresidency.in/marriage-halls-in-ghaziabad-with-price/

[venkateshwara-group1998]

Shri Venkateshwara University organized an All India Kavi Sammelan & Bollywood Musical Night on the last day of the historic Ganga Fair.

Shri Venkateshwara University organized an All India Kavi Sammelan & Bollywood Musical Night on the evening of historic Kartik Purnima in the Ganga Fair.

A grand spectacle was held on the banks of the river Ganges.

Over a dozen police, administrative, and judicial officers, along with thousands of spectators, enjoyed it.

The All India Kavi Sammelan & Musical Night became so popular with the audience that the event continued until 3:00 AM the following morning, after starting at 6:00 PM the previous evening.

The District & Session Judge Mr. Zafar Ahmed, DM Mrs. Nidhi Gupta Vats, SP Mr. Kunwar Anupam Singh, Venkateshwara Group Founder President Dr Sudhir Giri, & the Pro Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp on the portrait of Mother Ganges.

The CDO Mr. Ashwini Mishra, & Chief Fair Officer ADM Mr. Mayashankar Yadav joined them to unveil the All India Kavi Sammelan & Bollywood Musical Night.

The DM, District Judge, SP, CDO, and senior police administrative officials, along with the management of Shri Venkateshwara University, felicitated Bollywood singers and poets. They were gifted a shawl and memento.

After that, popular female playback singer Ms. Nivedita Nanda from Saregama and Mr. Manoj Verma from T-Series entertained the audience with mesmerizing Bollywood and Punjabi songs.

The All India Kavi Sammelan was hosted by Dr. Dinesh Raghuvanshi, a renowned poet. It started at 10.00 PM.

Poet Dr Rahul Awasthi from Bareilly recited a poem that filled the listeners with positive energy. He said, “दाल ना गल पाएगी दुश्मन हाथ मारेंगे भारत के- चाले ना चल पाएंगे राफेल चलेंगे भारत के। प्राणों से प्यार है- यह देश हमारा है.....”  

Then renowned poet from Dausa with expertise in Shrangar Ras Ms Sapna Soni sang जमीन पर चांद मेरे सामने उतर आया, जिसे निहार मेरे दिल में प्यार भर आया। खुदा से तेरे सिवा और कुछ नहीं मांगा, जिधर भी देखो मुझे तू ही तू नजर आया which was well admired by the audience.  

Hemant Pandey, winner of Laughter Champion Season 2 & part of Kapil Sharma Show, entertained the audience with his jovial talk about politics & love.

Great poet Dr Dinesh Raghuvanshi expressed the distressing state of farmer & soldier through his poetry   - हमेशा तन गए आगे जो तोपों की दहानों के, कोई कीमत नहीं होती क्या प्राणों की जवानों के। बड़े लोगों की औलादे तो कैंडल मार्च करती है, जो अपने प्राण देते हैं वह बेटे हैं किसानों के that brought tears into the eyes of the listeners.

Apart from this young poet Mohit Shaurya, Laughter Poet Pavan Aagri from Agra, Rahul Sharma of ooj, local Poet Dr Yatindra Katariya & Laughter poet Mamta Sharma presented excellent poetry that made the audience clap incessantly.

Those present included the ASP Mr. Rajiv Kumar Singh, SDM Mr. Pushkar Nath Chaudhary, SDM Vibha Shrivastava, SS Baghel, BJYM President Mr. Shubham Chaudhary, Arun Goswami & Sanjeev Rai.

The Meerut Campus Director, Dr Pratap Singh, was present along with the Media Incharge, Mr. Vishwas Rana, among others.

[adityatodi]

Dasain 2024 (Banaras, Hyderabad, Mumbai)

October 09, Wednesday (Day 1) Flight from Kathmandu to Varanasi at 7:15am At airport Channi Didi’s parents (Piku Uncle and Aunty there) to see her and Kavi Check in at Taj Ganges Varanasi Breakfast at Ram Bhandar (Poori Bhaaji) Sweta didi comes to hotel Drive around BHU campus, see Papa’s hostel Gurtu, Birla Mandir, Sanktmochan Hanuman Chaat at Deena Chaat (really tasty, especially the Gulab Jamun) Go towards Ghaat for Boat ride Evening Aarti and boat ride Dinner at Vatika Pizzeria by Assi Ghaat (yummy Applie pie)

October 10, Thursday (Day 2) Morning visit to Kashi Vishvanath Temple Chana kachori nearby and also Lakshmi Chaiwala Chaai and Toast Go to Sarnath and take a tour of the archaeological site, mediate there, go to the museum and see the original Ashoka Pillar India Emblem Capital Chill in Swimming Pool Visit Piku Uncle house Dinner at Baati Chokha with Piku Uncle

October 11, Friday (Day 3) Chill at Cafe Mangi Ferra Eat at Kashi Chaat Start our Street Tour (through bylanes, Lakshmi Chaiwala, Blue Lassi, Pashupati, Kashi Vishwanath corridor) Chill at Hotel Brijrama Take boat to Guleria Kothi and have Indian food there Kaal Bhairav Mandir darshan Back to hotel-meet with Sagun (Anil Mamaji’s relatives daughter) and her husband Umang

October 12, Saturday (Day 4) Akaasa Air flight from Varanasi to Hyderabad. Sweta didi flying to Kolkata Andhra Thaali lunch at Southern Mirchi Check in at Taj Krishna Drive around Go to The Quorum at Knowledge Park to play pedal-ball Drive then metro to go to Uppal Rajiv Gandhi Stadium to watch India vs Bangladesh match. India makes it’s highest T20 score and second highest ever (297 runs)

October 13, Sunday (Day 5) Breakfast at hotel Round Table brunch with Jijus round table friends, us and Amogh Off the shelf bookstore. Sunita Mamiji we meet here Gelato from Roast Jiju showed us his Housing Colony: Trail Dinner at Akshat Jiju and Sachi didi’s place (Sunita Mamiji, Ayush, Sachi Didi, Jiju, Arjun Bhaiya, Sonali Bhabi and Uncle, Aunty) Akshat Jiju drove us around the city

October 14, Monday (Day 6) Yoga with Amogh Breakfast at Nani’s Nap at hotel Lunch at Roast and Tour of their facilities Madhu Mausi’s place Dinner at Madhu Mausi and Mausaji’s restaurant

October 15, Tuesday (Day 7) Check out of hotel Dosa and Idli at Panchakattu Dosa Tour around Amazon Office with Bhaavya Go to Silent Studio for floatation in the dark Nilofuer Cafe with Sachi didi, Nirvaan and Aayush Anu Mausi’s place for dinner and leave for airport (Amogh drops) Flight from Hyderabad to Mumbai Hang out at Tulja’s place with Tullu and Ankur while we wait for Didi and Jiju to come from Kolkata

October 16, Wednesday (Day 8) Breakfast at Didi’s place Work from home Lunch at Didi’s place Go for drive and have cold coffee and then sevpuri and bhelpuri at Altamount Road Came home for online meeting Dinner at Americano in Fort Drive around

October 17, Thursday (Day 9) Global Vipassana Pagoda (Museum, 1-Day course) Hang out at Tulja’s place and order in food

October 18, Friday (Day 10) Shashi Mausi comes to meet Pooja Bhua’s house Bina Bhua’s house Pick up Mansi and Didi and go to Right Place for sandwich Mansi showed NSCI Club Coffee with Didi and Mansi at Cafe Eve Chill at home Breach candy Club with Namita Didi and Pratik Jiju. Ran into Anu Aga and her daughter (Thermax)

October 19, Saturday (Day 11) Go to Vaibhav to meet. Kunal Bhaiya/Priyanka Bhabi/Bhuaji/Fufaji/Shivani Didi/Shikha Bhabi/Extended family Coffee at Greenr with Sweta Didi Comedy show Aakash Gupta at Shanmukhananda Auditorium Snacks at Gurukripal Surya Hospital for Tulja’s delivery Baby Girl born Go to Raju ki Chaai for late night snacks

October 20, Sunday (Day 12) Work from home Go to hospital to meet Tulja and Baby Ayush Bansal/wife Nikita and daughter Avyaa also met. Seeing Ayush probably after 10 years if not more Chaat at Elco Market Drive around Juhu/Bandra Take DreamTrust call from car Didi had her first Karwa Chauth so ritual in terrace and dinner at home

October 21, Monday (Day 13) Marina Hotel went to the coffee shop Bay Leaf with Sweta didi to just talk Lunch at Pizza by the bay Gelato from Comm Walk around grocery store Benzer Go to Boojee Cafe in Bandra with Didi and Ayush Surya Hospital to see Tulja and Baby Karuna Naniji and Nanajis house in JB Nagar to meet them Dinner at Prithvi Cafe with Ayush, Ankit, Ishu, Ankur, Didi Shiv Sagar for rose falooda Back home

October 22, Tuesday (Day 14) Ujjawal Jiju and Didi came to drop me to the airport Hung out in airport with Ayush Mumbai to Kathmandu flight

[applesaucesims]

His heart was beating in his chest as if it was trying to run away from him, as Louis joined warmup with the rest of the first-year ballet students. Some of the other kids were already stretching their muscles, while others were practicing some exercises at the barre, and then some were simply talking and waiting for the teacher to arrive.

Said teacher announced her arrival with the clicking of her heels on the polished floorboards and a loud tapping of her walking stick as she stood in the middle of the room. The students quickly walked to form a line in front of the barre, facing their teacher who introduced herself as Miss Lambert.

As Louis stood there, listening to the teacher's introduction of the academy, his nerves were not going down at all. He had been taking children's ballet classes for some time now, but he was not sure whether it was enough to truly meet the skillset expected from him. Looking over at the other children lined up next to him who seemed to already know what the next steps would be, he could not help but feel a bit lost. He knew he wanted to dance more than anything in his life, but was it really what he was cut out for?

Though he tried pushing his worries deep down, it seemed obvious to him throughout the rest of the day that he was far below everyone else's level. Whether it was just his mind telling him that, remained to be seen.

[TRANSCRIPT]

*indistinct chatter* *tired student noises*

*click click*

*tap tap*

Miss Lambert: "Good morning, new students! Please stand and form a line."

Miss Lambert: "My name is Miss Lambert and I'm one of the dance teachers at this academy."

*shuffle shuffle shuffle*

Miss Lambert: "You'll have most of your classes with me, particularly the girls. At those times, the boys will be with Mr. Booth, whom you'll meet tomorrow."

Miss Lambert: "You'll be learning your academia here, too, of course. But we all know that's not what you're really here for. You're here to dance! And I'm here to show you how."

Miss Lambert: "Since, you've made it to the academy, I'm sure you already know the basics. I expect you to know a bit more than that, actually. I'm aware your current skills will be at different levels. But here's where we'll truly see who's got the most talent and discipline!"

Erin Branch

- grew up on a small farm

- practiced dancing with the farm animals since age four

- made it here with talent alone - and a scholarship

César Roques

- from a long line of dancers and choreographers

- pretty much born dancing

- trained with some of the most famous names in ballet

Rozaliya Fortova

- daughter to a couple of successful travelling dancers

- speaks five languages

- visted ballets in every country she's been to

Kavi Gupta

- a boy of many talents

- supposed to take over the Gupta Shipping Co.

- his parents still think dancing is just a hobby - though they do support it

Sophie Welles

- middle child of five of a wealthy automobile business owner

- taught dance and other arts by the family's nannies

- her two older sisters are already academy alumni

Zachary Turner

- lives with his aunt and practices with her daily

- disowned by his lawyer father for choosing dance

- dad's still waiting for him to "come to his senses"

Celine Walton

- top of her children's ballet class three years in a row

- daughter to the mayor of Brindleton Bay

- used to always getting what she wants and being the best

Louis McGregor

- newest at dancing of the whole class

- still wondering if he would have made it without his father's fame

- has no idea what he would do if dancing does not work out

Miss Lambert: "Well? Let's get on then!"

Miss Renée Lambert

- head ballet teacher at the academy

- had a promising career as a prima ballerina herself, until it was foiled by an ankle injury

[sheltiechicago]

“Daishon” (2022), acrylic, atomized brass dust, and atomized steel dust on canvas, 120 x 84 inches.

In ‘It Is What It Is,’ Alfred Conteh Takes a Realistic Approach to Examining Life for Black Southerners

The urgency of Alfred Conteh’s portraits lies in the present. He portrays Black people he meets around Atlanta, creating monumental works that accentuate the material both physically and metaphorically, in their mediums and the critical analysis of current social conditions.

All images © Alfred Conteh, courtesy of Kavi Gupta

“Stanton Road Water Boys” (2022), acrylic and urethane plastic on canvas, 84 x 84 inches

Left: “Shampoo” (2022), acrylic and urethane plastic on canvas, 84 x 48 inches. Right: “IWB Shawty” (2022), acrylic, urethane plastic, and atomized steel dust on canvas, 84 x 48 inches

“Loretta (Ms. T)” (2022), acrylic and urethane plastic on canvas, 120 x 84 inches

[distinktionsfetzen]

Check out Devan Shimoyama, Jas, Doubled (2023), From Kavi Gupta

[native-blog-deutsch]

Jeffrey Gibson ist der erste indigene Künstler mit US-Einzelausstellung auf der Biennale von Venedig

Der Choctaw- und Cherokee-Künstler, dessen Werke oft leuchtende geometrische Muster, Glasperlen und epigrammatische Texte aufweisen, wird der erste indigene Künstler sein, der die Vereinigten Staaten in Venedig als Solokünstler vertritt.

Jeffrey Gibson, ONE FOOT IN GLORY, ONE FOOT IN HELL (2020). Acrylic on canvas, glass beads, and artificial sinew inset into wood frame. 143.51 x 111.76 cm. Courtesy the artist and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles, California. Photo: Max Yawney. Jeffrey Gibson wird der erste indigene Künstler sein, der die Vereinigten Staaten als Solokünstler vertritt, wenn er nächstes Jahr auf der 60. Biennale von Venedig ausstellt. Gibsons Werk verbindet unter anderem indianisches Kunsthandwerk und abstrakten Modernismus. Er erhielt ein MacArthur 'genius' Stipendium und zahlreiche Einzelausstellungen, darunter This Burning World: Jeffrey Gibson (ICA San Francisco, 2022), Jeffrey Gibson: The Body Electric (SITE Santa Fe, 2022) und Jeffrey Gibson: They Come From Fire (Portland Art Museum, 2022). Der US-Pavillon wird von Kathleen Ash-Milby, Kuratorin für indianische Kunst am Portland Art Museum, und der unabhängigen Kuratorin Abigail Winograd mitkuratiert. Jeffrey Gibson, Black Beauty (2021). Glass beads, acrylic felt, polyester fibre fill, artificial sinew, nylon thread, vintage beaded elements (glass beads, suede, cotton thread). 40.6 x 58.4 x 33.7 cm. Courtesy Kavi Gupta. Ich glaube seit langem an die Fähigkeit von Jeffreys Arbeit, eine Kraft für positive Veränderungen zu sein und die Möglichkeit einer radikal integrativen Zukunft zu schaffen", sagte Winograd. Ich hoffe, dass ein weltweites Publikum, das seine Arbeit im Rahmen der Biennale kennenlernt, sie auch als Quelle der Freude und Heilung empfindet - etwas, das in einer von Konflikten und Krisen geprägten Welt dringend benötigt wird", sagte sie. Sein integrativer und kollaborativer Ansatz ist ein starker Kommentar zum Einfluss und Fortbestehen der indianischen Kulturen in den Vereinigten Staaten und weltweit, was ihn zum idealen Repräsentanten für die Vereinigten Staaten in diesem Moment macht", fügte Ash-Milby hinzu. Webseite von Jeffrey Gibson Weitere Informationen auf DNH Read the full article

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Art Review: Alfred Conteh's It Is What It Is

Alfred Conteh's solo exhibition It Is What It Is provides a compelling depiction of the identity and culture of present-day Atlanta and its people. Conteh's exhibition consists of portraits of African-Americans he encounters around the city. Each portrait is titled with the name or nickname of its subject, and with at least 5 feet in height, they tower over the viewer. Situated in the Kavi Gupta gallery in the West Loop of Chicago, this exhibit provides a larger-than-life glimpse into life on the other end of the country.

It Is What It Is is housed in a single room, confronting the viewer with an unobstructed view of every portrait all at once. However, it is upon closer inspection that the subjects come to life. To start with, each work is incredibly detailed and almost photorealistic, allowing the expression of the subject to be communicated. The works on the left half of the room are half-body or full body shots. Conteh captures their particular body language and demeanor, which conveys a great sense of their personality. To the right are the portraits that depicted their subjects only from the neck up. Although these portraits have less personality and character (in addition to being smaller), they added to the diversity on display. Despite being composed of the same or similar materials, each piece has a unique color palette and impression.

The aspect of the paintings that stuck out to me most was the physical depth of the works. Conteh made use of urethane plastic and brass and steel dust in order to create an impression of old paint peeling off. In addition, the canvases are not framed, as if the painting were truly coming off of or embedded into the wall. In my opinion, the way the paint comes off of the canvas is the highlight of these works, as it adds a physical dimension and concreteness to the piece unachievable with a basic photograph or painting. For me, the peeling immediately evoked images of the rust on decaying and decrepit buildings and bridges. In this way, Conteh suggests that there is a fundamental link between Black Atlantans and the environment they inhabit. Despite a history of hardship and suffering, both are tough and resistant. These two components, the subject of the painting and the material Conteh uses, create an impressive and substantial sense of life in the exhibit.

A further investigation into the person and story behind each work only serves to reinforce the connection between Black Americans and their environment. For instance, one of the most memorable pieces, Stanton Road Water Boys, depicts three young men selling water bottles by the side of the road. As described in the exhibit guidebook, selling water bottles is how they make a living. However, the police often run them off due to their not holding a license. This backstory adds a tragic economic and social dimension to an otherwise amicable and casual depiction of youth. Conteh's decision to pick subjects with a story is part of the instructive nature of the exhibit. Because of the real, lived histories of the subjects of Conteh's work, the exhibit provides a crystal-clear example of the Black experience in the American South.

Conteh's emphasis on the personhood of African-Americans is even reflected in the background of each work. As opposed to perhaps depicting an urban landscape behind them or some other physical feature, the background is strictly of some textured material. As a result, the viewer's attention is focused entirely on the subject and their manner of existence. The material strongly resembles metal or concrete. Here, the peeling of the paint comes into play, as the cracks and ripples overlap and interrupt the figure. This mixing between the subject and the surface they are painted upon seems to express the integration between the subjects and the material makeup of Atlanta.

Alfred Conteh's exhibition here in Chicago is a long distance from Conteh's previous exhibitions. The guidebook points out that his work tends to be shown in the South, particularly Georgia and Alabama. In my opinion, this removal of the works from their place of origin does not do the exhibit many favors. Furthermore, the Kavi Gupta Gallery is located in a majority non-Black neighborhood of Chicago, putting further distance between the exhibit and its audience. Because of the emphasis on people and their stories, the works hardly provide a substantive view of their everyday life. The exhibit provides only a snapshot of their livelihood, and is thus less likely to provoke a discussion about African-American lives.

Nevertheless, It Is What It Is is certainly worth checking out for those who have the time. This exhibit is certainly something that should be experienced in person, as the peeling and material detail will truly shine. I think it is important to consider and contemplate these works fully, as the subject is lifted directly from our present. As a result, each person visiting the exhibit has some connection or relation to the subjects, whether on a personal or national level. It Is What It Is provides, as the title suggests, a way of looking at the world that is truthful and genuine. This exhibit will certainly challenge the way you interpret the world and society around us. The exhibit is open until March 4, 2023, which means there is only a little time left to see it for yourself.