#afrosurrealism

[fyblackwomenart]

"mh! they thought they knew it all." by baaba on INPRNT

[thedarkmongoose]

I’m A Virgo (2023)

[niggamag]

The Blood Of Jesus (1941)- Dir. Spencer Williams

In the rich history of low budget Black cinema, there are a few rare gems that I feel every Black person should see in their lifetime. Among them is "The Blood of Jesus" (1941), a groundbreaking film directed by the multi-talented Spencer Williams. This film lays the groundwork for Black indie films with its ghastly folk aesthetic, non linear storytelling and angelic imagery. "The Blood of Jesus" remains an essential cinematic experience even after more than eight decades.

Now why THIS film?

"The Blood of Jesus" holds a special place in the annals of Black cinema as one of the first feature-length films to be produced and directed by a Black filmmaker. This milestone not only paved the way for future filmmakers but also provided a platform for authentic representation and storytelling.

The storyline is the classic “in between heaven and hell” trope and it is executed in such a stylistically sound way that it kept me glued to the screen. It reminded me surrealism and Dadaism which was huge in white cinema and literature at the time. This is early Afrosurrealism, dare I say. We see masterful interaction with atmospheric lighting, symbolic dream sequences, and breathtaking slow dissolves. It has lots of non-linear storytelling which is seen in many different Black indie films, especially from the 90s and it was fun making this connection.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

The film tells the story of a young woman named Martha, played by Cathryn Caviness, who is accidentally shot by her husband, Razz Jackson, portrayed by Spencer Williams himself. As Martha lies between life and death, her soul is caught in a cosmic struggle between the forces of good and evil. The narrative takes the viewers on a spiritual journey, as Martha's soul encounters various characters, symbolizing the temptations and choices she must confront. The film skillfully weaves together elements of Christianity and African American spirituality, highlighting the interconnectedness of faith and culture.

Written by your favorite Black film head, welcome to Nigga Mag.

-M

[thenixkat]

Finally watched They Cloned Tyrone. Yeah, that was a good movie.

very interesting. Good use of anachronistic elements

liked the bits of mystery and surrealism. I think the comedic elements worked well and were a good balance to the fucked up elements

Also, I'm really happy that when Yo Yo said they had to help people she meant everyone, including the clones. Lotta works don't care about clones as people

[bantuotaku]

@rakiyahinspace- The Cosmic Queen EP 

Available on all streaming platforms here

[oscarjoyo]

Moon Prism Power Neue Acrylic, aerosol, and oil pastels on MDF 12” round 2023

My piece for @galleries1988 x @steveseeleyart group show this Friday. It’s based on Sailor Moon,the first anime I saw when I came to the US 23 years ago.

DM or message Gallery 1988 to be a part of their preview list.

Thank you Steve and G1988 for having me!

[sostienetati]

Noah Davis (1983-2015)

Pueblo del Rio: Arabesque

Pueblo de Rio: Concerto

[grungepoetica]

There is no need for tomorrow’s-tongue speculation about the future. Concentration camps, bombed-out cities, famines, and enforced sterilization have already happened. To the Afro-Surrealist, the Tasers are here. The Four Horsemen rode through too long ago to recall. What is the future? The future has been around so long it is now the past. Afro-Surrealists expose this from a "future-past" called RIGHT NOW.

-- D. Scot Miller, Call It Afro-Surreal (2009)

[levihibbert]

!!!Listen Now!!!!

[dou-mind]

Saolange - When i get home (2019)

still Shot by: Arthur Jafa

[hotwhitehenny]

“Eat my poison fish, nigga”

- Demarcus , Atlanta S4 Ep10

[aziizah1]

happy black history month.

[realistian]

In the manifesto from which present day Afro-surrealism is based, writer D. Scot Miller states in a response to Afrofuturism:

"Afro-Futurism is a diaspora intellectual and artistic movement that turns to science, technology, and science fiction to speculate on black possibilities in the future. Afro-Surrealism is about the present. There is no need for tomorrow’s-tongue speculation about the future. Concentration camps, bombed-out cities, famines, and enforced sterilization have already happened. To the Afro-Surrealist, the Tasers are here. The Four Horsemen rode through too long ago to recall. What is the future? The future has been around so long it is now the past."

As The Afro-Surreal Manifesto and Afrofuturism come to the fore in artistic, commercial and academic circles, the struggle between the specific and “the scent” of present-day manifestations of Black absurdity has come with it, posing interesting challenges to both movements. For Afrofuturists, this challenge has been met by inserting Afrocentric elements into its growing pantheon, the intention being to centralize Afrofuturist focus back on the continent of Africa to enhance its specificity. For the Afro-surrealists, the focus has been set at the “here and now” of contemporary Black arts and situations in the Americas, Antilles, and beyond, searching for the nuanced “scent” of those current manifestations

[logicthompson]

"WHERE I WANNA BE" 24"x36"

by Logic Thompson

Despite Appearances...

I am a mess of different thoughts, feelings, ideas, blood, tissue, hair, sweat, discomfort, fear, and weakness. I've spent 30 years of my life feeling like I didn't belong anywhere and would never have anything. Even among my wins and my blessings, I am confronted with the fact that none of it lasts. Yet I understand now... that Despite Appearances, I somehow, am right WHERE I WANNA BE.

[bantuotaku]

Rakiyah - Crash Landing On You, just dropped🛸💥

[oscarjoyo]

Study

Had a bit of a rough week so I worked on this drawing from an existing sketch.

Drew inspiration from James Jean and Adam Nowak on the rendering aspect.

Thank God I just got GOW:Ragnarok so there’s that. XD

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