25243: MKarshan: *announce) Fri, June 3rd opening of Vodou Flag exhibit w/drummers, singers, dancers (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: mkarshan@ftnetwork.com

Invitation to Opening of Haiti's Ceremonial Banners exhibit
to benefit Alternative Chance/Chans Altenativ
Friday, June 3rd, 6 - 9 p.m.
Gumbo, 493 Atlantic Avenue, btwn Nevins & Third Avenue, Brooklyn

Bonga & the Vodou Drums of Haiti
Bonga Jean-Baptiste  & Tiga Jean-Baptiste
with dancers/singers Alisha Zebulon & Sheila Anozier

The Exhibit:

Haiti's Ceremonial Banners

Vodou Flag Exhibit at the Atlantic Avenue ArtWalk 2005
June 4th and 5th at Gumbo, 493 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn

"They are probably the most familiar of all Vodou objects and they are enchanting, combining the graphic clarity of African appliqué banners with the scintillating luxuriance of Christian liturgical vestments."
Holland Cotter, New York Times, 1998

The second annual Atlantic Avenue Art Walk will be held the weekend of June 4 & 5, 2005 from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. on each day, and is a collaborative effort between the public and private sector, together with local community groups and artists. The event will take place along Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue between Fourth Avenue and Hicks Street. All events are free and open to the public.

Exhibiting at the Gumbo store, Haiti's Ceremonial Banners will feature Haitian Vodou flags, or drapo, -- ceremonial tapestries handmade by artists in Haiti. Varying in size, drapo are typically colorful and vibrant bead and sequin combinations sewn on cloth or a rice sack, with a satin backing and border.

http://alternativechance.org/HAITI-S-CEREMONIAL-BANNERS-COME-TO-BROOKLYN-FOR-ART-WALK-2005?r=1117362180

The flags represent various spirits, or lwa, of Vodou, based on religious beliefs and practices slaves brought with them from West Africa.  Each spirit embodies unique characteristics, and plays a different role. Vodou flags, exhibited in ceremonies, serve to call down particular spirits who help practitioners with their personal problems and aspirations.

Vodou spirits are represented by either the image of the spirit, or the corresponding symbol, or veve, that represents it. Because slaves were forbidden from practicing Vodou, they also adopted Catholic saints to represent the various spirits of love, water, twins, trees, crops, etc.

Haitian Vodou flags have been the center of numerous museum exhibits, including the Sacred Arts of Vodou which toured museums such as the Smithsonian Institute and the Museum of Natural History.

Haiti's Ceremonial Banners exhibit kicks off during the Atlantic Avenue Art Walk and will be shown throughout the month of June. The exhibit includes flags made by Lalanne, Maxon, and others whose works have been included at museums, galleries, and in key articles and books.

Art Walk's self-guided tour will include more than 75 open artist studios, events and exhibitions with fine artist, gallery and neighborhood retail participation. Building on the success of Art Walk 2004, this year's event includes additional music, public artworks, and new venues for youth and families on its programming schedule.

Proceeds from the Haiti's Ceremonial Banners exhibit will benefit the not-for-profit Alternative Chance program in Haiti. For further information, please contact altchance@aol.com or 212-613-6033.  For more on the Atlantic Avenue Art Walk 2005: www.atlanticavenueartwalk.com/ GUMBO, 493 Atlantic Avenue, between Nevins Street and Third Avenue, Brooklyn


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