Julie Dash’s The Great Migration observes the closing of one chapter of history for many African Americans–life in the unforgiving South–and the beginning of another–an arduous journey North towards an uncertain future. The opening scene of the film, a beach at first light shot in soft muted color, is a fitting metaphor for this transition. A solitary suitcase sits on the sand, a totem for countless histories both individual and communal. At this point of departure where land ends and sea begins, the memories of these emigrants bridge all physical borders, and as the sole remaining traveler, the suitcase is our window into a narrative whose roots run deep and whose branches continue to grow.
Read MoreArmchair travelers! I am with you. Longing for travel, I return to pictures of previous trips, like this one of the Rapeseed flowers growing in Germany seen from a speeding TGV train going to Paris. (Rapeseed plants are used to make canola oil.) I told you about the trip in 2013. The colors are somehow cheerful and the suggestion of open space is refreshing for urban eyeballs.
Read MorePhiladelphia is always a place of many distinct and often contradictory feelings, and as the masses of politicians, reporters, delegates, protesters, lobbyists, promoters, and enthusiasts drain out of the city here are a few of the emotional highs and lows from last week.
Read MoreWhen experiencing this incarnation of “Firebird,” I couldn’t help but be immersed in all that’s going on in the storytelling. At times for a split second, I stopped noticing that the reliably superb Philadelphia Orchestra (led by conductor-in-residence Cristian Macelaru) was playing right behind the elaborate action. The orchestra was the glue that held all of the pieces together, especially in moments when the choreography and multimedia aspects didn’t always paint the clearest picture for the audience to follow along. All of the competing art forms forced me to choose which aspect of the piece to focus on and then after a while, switch over to the next aspect that caught the eye or ear.
Read MoreThere’s politics in the hot air, which seems like it will never cease (both the hot air and the politics). Be sure to check out what’s available in both, but stay cool, no matter what. Here’s one exhibit that has a good lineup and might be worth getting out for: Truth to Power/Rock the Vote. But I recommend you keep your eyes open for political art on the street, like the Joe Boruchow piece seen below, featured prominently in West Philadelphia.
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