The My-Stery: The Web

During the past several years, quite a number of books and essays have come out about connections between African diasporic cultures, and computer and digital technology. For example, Ron Eglash wrote “African Fractals,” a book on the similarities between African fractal designs in such things as textiles and braids, and modern computer designs. Since he […]

The My-Stery: Wiccan and Voodoo?

While looking for the System of a Down’s “Chop Suey” video, I saw the video for Godsmack’s “Voodoo.” The song was supposedly influenced by Wes Craven’s The Serpent and the Rainbow, a movie that is problematic in of itself, portraying Vodou and indigenous religion in a kind of simplistic view, using them once again as […]

Art of This World: Wandering…

I came across the other day a Liberator Magazine interview of photographer Sedrick Miles about his work, “Wanderlust.” I thought it was interesting, since wanderlust was on my mind. Also, he mentions Afrofuturism: “Liberatormag: When I was a young, I was fascinated with time travel and flying. In particular, Virginia Hamilton’s “The People Could Fly” […]

Otherworldly Videos: United States of Hoodoo

German director Oliver Hardt, who produced Black Deutschland, and writer Darius James, author of That´s Blaxploitation!!!! and Negrophobia: An Urban Parable, have come together to produce the “spiritual road movie,” United States of Voodoo. The documentary explores how voodoo and hoodoo are still present in contemporary society through music, art and culture. The filmmakers describes […]

Modern Griots: John Jennings

John Jennings, who describes himself as a “a professional bender of time,” and is an associate professor in visual studies at University at Buffalo, blends together the worlds of comics, hip-hop and racial discourse. Here is some of his article from Buffalo’s website: John Jennings centers his life on provocative questions: How can we show the […]

Otherworldly Videos: Journey Through the Mind

Big K.R.I.T. – The Vent Ab Soul – Pineal Gland

Moving on the Wires: “H(A)UNTED” Exhibition

Tomorrow in Manhattan, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute will be having an opening reception at 7pm for “H(a)unted,” an exhibition in response to Trayvon Martin and the historic criminalization of Black men. The exhibition will run from tomorrow to May 18th and Shantrelle P Lewis is curating it. Fyeahafrofuturism will be there as […]

Moving on the Wires: Bard Exhibition

Curator Andrew Rebatta sent me information on the Sunday opening of exhibitions at Bard College. He and six other student curators will be presenting their exhibitions. If you live near Bard and want to attend, this is the website for more information and directions. Here is Rebatta’s thesis exhibition: Donna Huanca “The myth is neither […]

Otherworldly Videos: Hip-Hop and Shakespeare?

Award-winning rapper Akala describes the similarities between Shakespeare’s works and hip-hop lyrics and rhythm. Akala wants to challenge those who have power to define and allow certain people to be “custodians of knowledge.” His lecture makes one think of what is poetry and what is knowledge or intellect.

Modern Griots: M. Jacqui Alexander

Black feminist lesbian writer, scholar, activist and conjurer M. Jacqui Alexander on the web series, Signified. She speaks about the connections between spirituality and social revolution in that they allow one to envision new worlds, to understand one’s purpose in life and to connect with others.