Art
BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors debuts LA performance art piece that sees her lead group of women in matching
BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors has made a rare public appearance in a performance art piece that involves a parade of women in white dresses bound together by their hair.
The California-born creator of the BlackLivesMatter hashtag led a procession of nine women as they walked from the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden to the Fowler Museum in a Los Angeles spectacle watched by thousands of people.
Known as Ori Whispers, the performance marked the opening of the museum’s exhibition centering on the Yoruba diaspora – people from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo in West Africa who have moved across the Atlantic to Brazil, Cuba and the US.
The museum described the ‘visually and spiritually dynamic procession’ on Saturday as ‘a celebration of Black femme Ori strength and power.’
In her Saturday performance piece, Cullors went barefoot and wore an off-white ankle-length dress with gauze sleeves as she led the procession of women, as they were each tied together by long black plaits of hair.
She looked expressionless as she walked with the other eight women trailing behind wearing brighter white dresses and crocs.
Ori is a Yoruba metaphysical concept tying together the themes of ‘consciousness, individuality, and spiritual intuition’ per the museum.
The museum’s new exhibit, called The House Was Too Small: Yoruba Sacred Arts from Africa and Beyond, features a multimedia installation by Cullors titled Free Us.
Cullors, 40, became a co-founder of BLM in 2013 before stepping down in 2021. The movement started in the courtyard of her Los Angeles home.
Now, Black Lives Matter’s national organization is at risk of going bankrupt after its finances plunged $8.5million into the red last year – while simultaneously handing multiple staff seven-figure salaries.
It comes as it emerged in May that 33 percent of Black Lives Matter’s accumulated donations of $90 million found its way to charitable causes, according to a report.
The group doled out around $30 million between 2020 and 2022, during which time it collected $90 million in donations as it promoted itself as the preeminent civil rights organization in the US.
Among the benefactors of BLM’s paltry donations were friends and family of Cullors, in particular her graffiti artist brother, Paul, who received $1.7 million in salary and contracts during that time period.
Cullors denied allegations of financial improprieties, saying that neither she nor anyone else in the BLM leadership misused donated money in an interview with AP.
However, she did acknowledge that BLM was ill-prepared to handle a tidal wave of contributions in the aftermath of protests over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police in 2020.
She said the foundation was slow to build the necessary groundwork.
In the same month that the company’s finances were unearthed, Cullors was quietly let go from her Warner Bros TV deal after producing no content.
The artist signed the deal with the media giant in 2020 to much fanfare but it ended in secret in October 2022, it emerged on Friday.
‘The deal, unfortunately, did not result in any produced shows,’ a source told the New York Post.
Cullors claimed in January 2022 that she was working on a documentary about how reparations were similar to the idea of landback, where Native Americans got back their lands, and another about black social mobility.
She also reportedly had scripted series about marijuana and black women leaders, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Black Lives Matter says it ‘builds power to bring justice, healing, and freedom to Black people across the globe’ and it aims to persuade governments to ‘defund the police’.
Earlier this year, Cullors’ cousin Keenan Anderson, 31, went into cardiac arrest and died in hospital after being tasered by police. Cullors said he was ‘killed’ by LAPD.
Anderson caused a car crash before standing in the middle of Venice Boulevard ‘behaving erratically’ and trying to run away from officers carrying out a DUI investigation in January, Los Angeles police say.
He left behind a five-year-old son, and lawyers acting on behalf of the child filed a $50 million claim for damages against the city.
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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