Cultural Voice

  Concept NV is pleased to announce the visit to Jamaica of renowned New York based portrait painter Kehinde Wiley, April 22 to May 05, 2013.   This exploratory visit will facilitate preparation for ‘The World Stage: Jamaica’ , a portrait exhibition to be presented at the Stephen Friedman Gallery in London, October 2013.   Mr. Wiley’s portraits are typically based on photographs, and include heroic portraits which address the image and social recontextualization of primarily, black and brown young men in contemporary culture. Over the years his extensive ‘World Stage’ series has expanded to include models from countries such as China, India, Israel, Brazil and Senegal.   These portraits incorporate aspects of the history and culture of each country and are often a source of national pride. Jamaica will now be added to this venerable line-up. During his visit, Wiley will conduct photo sessions with people of interest whose portraits will be displayed ...

Is love the universal language or is it music? Walking into a dimly lit music studio at Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) hearing first the ripples of triads and the melodies of musical chords, then seeing Spanish pianist David Gomez eyes closed, head swaying and humming counts - the message was clear.    As the Spanish pianist lightly taped his last key on the grand piano positioned in a hall with chairs, where drum sets and two paintings hung, the room stood still. He opens his eyes, flicks the light switch and we’re back to reality.         David Gomez, who has played in prominent theatres such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, Concert Gebouw in Amsterdam, National Concert Hall in Dublin and St Martin in The Fields in London, was in Jamaica to perform at the Holy Trinity Cathedral along with the Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra and the Kingston College Chapel Choir on February 24, 2013. The event dubbed, “The Express...

What's Inside... Plus + + + Tribute to the Late Art Historian Dewey Mosby, The Struggle for Identity and The Mexican Headdress, Emerging Artist Abenah Gonzalez, as well as Mexican Designers combining Haute Couture with Tradition!

The CV Team hopes you're having a fantastic 2013 thus far! 2012 was a great year for Cultural Voice. We take this opportunity to share some of our major successes with you! Blog In one year we've had close to 20,000 page views from over 60 countries on the Cultural Voice Blog and we've received lots of comments and positive feedback! eZine Find the links to the latest editions of our Cultural Voice eZine, our magazine that puts the spotlight on global trends and is your source for what is happening in the Creatice Industries. The magazine continues to grow from strength to strength.     Facebook We've also been keeping you up-to-date on Facebook and within one year our fan base has grown to over 1,700!!!!! Finals of the Ja Blog Awards To top it off we've also made it to the finals of the Jamaica Blog Awards for best Art/Photography Blog. If you like what we've been up to, show your support by voting for...

 Don Cornelius, Source: OMG! Don Cornelius, Source: Billboard.com Don Cornelius, Source: USA Today Source: Soul Train.com 'Soul Train' debuted in 1971, and revolutionized the world of television. It brought urban African American Culture to an international stage and made it fun to dance dance dance!!! The Executive Producer and visionary who created this phenomenon was Don Cornelius. Cornnelius died today February 1st in what appears to be a suicide. We wish his family and friends well. Soul Train will live on!

Dutty Bookman took time out to reason with Artistic Expressions at Manifesto JA's Festival this weekend. He spoke to us about his journey as a spiritual artist and a literary artist. "Before you can partake in the revolution you have to be the revolution!" I've known Dutty for at least 15 years, and it's interesting to see how he has evolved. In the 90' s he was very clean cut and everyone called him Gavin or 'Hutchy'. He has maintained his charming smile and honest expressions, but his philosophy about life has changed dramatically. He now talks about revolution. He speaks openly with us about his journey, as we sit under a Blue Mahoe Tree outside of the Edna Manley College's School of Dance, surrounded by participants of the festival, sharing insight and engaging in questions exposed after the session 'Meet the Artist' featuring the likes of Mutabaruka, Cherine Anderson & Bob Andy. "Success comes w...

As Manifesto Jamaica launches its festival today at the Edna Manley with an amazing line-up of activities, including dance and music workshops, poetry 101, discussions about the future of the Arts movement. I think about how far Jamaica has evolved, to a great extent through the arts. Where we have failed economically, we have managed to be influencers, not with dollars but with words, songs, dance, and art. We are still a young society, gaining independence August 6, 1962. As we move into our 50th year, we are evaluating the different ways in which we can utilize our natural creative advantage to change the inequalities and low productivity rates that now face us. The Bauxite Industry due to mismanagement in the 70s and subsequest fall off in demand is no longer a solution. We no longer own our sugar factories, and even if they now become profitable, the profits will not be truly ours. Tourism can be self destructive as the more tourists, the ...

Patrick O'Neill, dancer with the NYC based, Contemporary Ballet Company Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance took time out to share his opinions on a few things. Cultural Voice will feature every week short profiles on different artists. (When asking the questions we encourage the artistes not to think too much and to give a spur of the moment answer so we know what they really think.) Patrick in Performance Picture by Sagitarii Photography, Cultural Fusion, 2011 Patrick was born and raised in Rochester, NY and is currently living in Brooklyn, NY. Life Philosophy? His philosophy on life is... "life only throws at you what it thinks you can handle. nothing less. nothing more. good things happen and bad things happen and its how you adapt and learn and thrive that makes life worth living." When Asked about his Cultural Icons.... "hmmm cultural icons... well the gay man in me would have to say Beyonce! hahahaha! she has a vision of what she wants and then she goe...

Juan Chong, Youth Activist, Peru World Peace in today's world is impossible, despite all our most beloved wishes, there is still a long way to go. Cultural differences -including religion- and economic interests are the biggest obstacles to understand and care for each other. Now more than ever globalization and ICTs facilitate access to information -which favors the cultural understanding, and it may be the accelerator for the world peace we crave for. But still, economic interests will remain as a huge challenge to beat… Jessi Shaw, Dancer, Jamaica I doubt there can be world peace because the human race seems to be victims of greed. We are always fighting each other; constantly competing for dominance whether it be economically, politically, socially, etc. We are not fans of harmony because money and power seems so much more satisfying. Kai Watson, Painter, Jamaica I'd say no. Because good and bad or war and peace are the balance of one another. T...