|
|
ABOUT AMIR BEY
http://www.myspace.com/amirbey PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Journalist, Editor and Publisher, THE NEW TIMES HOLLER!, an online publication; while emerging as visual work in 1994, it began it's online phase in 2007 Art Instructor, Goddard Riverside Community Center, 1997 to the present. Art Instructor, Curator, and Gallery Coordinator, Bronx River Art Center and Gallery, 1989 -99. Free Lance Curator, 1989 to the present. Free-lance Radio Program Producer, 1985 to the present. Art Instructor, Martin Deporres Settlement House, Astoria, Queens, 1981-82. Program Producer, KPFA-FM, Berkeley, California, 1973-75 Astrologer, 1971 to the present. SELECTED COLLECTIONS Alfa Arte, Bilbao, Spain Amiri Baraka, Newark, New Jersey Ornette Coleman, New York City Gallery Sao, Tokyo Galeri X, Istanbul, Turkey Lower East Side Printshop, New York City The Mwanga Collection, Oakland, CA The Printmaking Workshop, New York City The Schomberg Collection, New York City PERMANENT PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION 2006 Mount St. Eden Subway Station, MTA Arts for Transit Program SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS AND INSTALLATIONS 2004 "Sheidas", Galeri X, Istanbul, Turkey 2003 "Flying Loa", Suffolk County Community College 2002 "Flying Loa", Installation and performance, Galeri X, Istanbul, Turkey 2002 "The Faces of Giza", the Egyptian Embassy, Washington, DC 2002 "Whirlers", Gallery X, New York City 1996 Gallery Saoh, Tokyo, Japan 1996 Gallery Aquaqua, Tokyo, Japan 1995 "The New Times Holler!", The Emerging Collector, New York City 1990 "St. Pierre and Mt. Pelee", Installation and performance at Henry St. Settlement House and the New York Public Library's Tompkins' Square Branch 1990 "The Changing Face of Soho", Broadway-Lafayette Subway, New York City 1989 John Jay College of Criminology, New York City 1988 "The Procession of Folk", The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2007 "MILENE BEY CELEBRATION", Belle Fontaine, Martinique 2007 Vision Festival XII, “State of Mind”, New York City
2006 “Bronx Bound”, Lehman College, New York City
2005 "X-TREM-IST", Istanbul, Turkey 2004 "Prison Art: Visions of the Voiceless", Suffolk Community College 2003 "The Garment Magical", The Skylight Gallery, Brooklyn Restoration Plaza 2002 "Extreme Exteriors", Gallery X, New York City 2001 "Love Letters", Fire Patrol #5 Art Gallery, New York City 1999 Puffin Room, New York City 1996 Tsurugi Festival, Tsurugi, Japan 1995 Aljira Gallery, Newark, New Jersey 1993 Henry Street Settlement House, New York City 1990 17 th International Contemporary Art Exhibition, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan 1989 "Hot Spots", Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, New York 1989 Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York 1984 Kenkelaba House, New York City SET DESIGNS 2005-08 “Synergy”, created costumes and set design, in collaboration with composer/musician Saco Yasuma, New York City 1989 "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts", Columbia University, New York City 1988 "Wine in the Wilderness", New York City 1986 "Meditations on Modern Life", LaMama Cabaret, New York City 1986 "Meditations on Modern Life", Club #9, San Francisco, California PUBLICATIONS AND EVENTS 2007 “Along the Way: MTA Arts for Transit The Monicelli Press
2005 “The Encyclopedia of Tarot”, U.S. Games Systems, Inc
2002 “Egyptian Cosmology” (lecture), New Jersey Egyptology Society, Neptune, New Jersey 1999 "Soho is Very Much Alive", The New York Times 1996 City Arts Channel 13, WNET, New York City 1993 "The Equinox Celebration Tarot", Amir Bey 1993 "A Profile of Malcolm X", American Astrology 1991 "New World Odor", Downtown, New York City 1989 Raise the Stakes- The Planet Drum Review, San Francisco, California 1988 Literati Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 1985 Guest lecturer on Eclipses and their social and mundane effects, the Clinton Astrological Association, Washington, DC 1985 "The South African Liberation Coin", Upfront Magazine, New York City 1985 "Historical Parallels Between the United States and South Africa", an interview with Duke Kent Brown, Vice Consul for Information, South Africa, WBAI-FM, New York City 1984 "Eclipses Are Significant", The Amsterdam News, New York City CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE Amir Bey began organizing exhibitions as the gallery coordinator/curator at Bronx River Art Center and Gallery in 1989, where he served in that capacity for ten years. In addition, Mr. Bey has been a free-lance curator at other venues, including, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, The Brecht Forum, The Emerging Collector, Fire Patrol No.5 Art, and Gallery X. Most of these exhibitions also featured performances organized by Mr. Bey. The following titles and descriptions are for those exhibitions and accompanying performances. Unless mentioned, most of the exhibitions were held at Bronx River. 2007 “Birthday Celebration” A celebratory event of musicians, poets, singers, dancers, in Bellefontaine, Martinique, was held; many of the participants were local artists as well as international contributors.
2006 "A CELEBRATI0N of the Life of MILENE BEY" A music, word, dance, visual and video arts hommage to the late vocalist, dancer, poet, and painter, Milene Bey held at St. Peter's Church in Manhattan. Included in the celebration were many musicians who had worked with her, samplings of Milene's paintings, videos of past performances, poetry and written testimonies. 2002
"Lines and Swirls" An exhibition of drawings and paintings by Roni Nicholson and Noriko Wako featuring ink on paper and plastic, including lines cut into colored paper by Ms. Nicholson, and Sumi on rice paper by Ms. Wako. A concert performed by the Sako Erica Duo, two alto saxophonists, was held at Gallery X. 2001
"Love Letters" A group exhibition of love letters written through the artists' work which was held at Fire Patrol No.5 Art. Here, art making and expressions of love were synonymous. Robin Holder, Buford Smith, Whitfield Lovell, Luanda Lozano, Lynn Seeney, Charlotte Ka, Verna Hart, and Amir Bey artists. Comedic storytelling by Gwyned Simpson, featuring her "Someday My Prince Will Come".
"World Trade Exorcisms" An exhibition of New York and International artists featuring work whose purpose was to purge the effects of the catastrophe of September 11, 2001. The first and possibly only exhibition in New York City to focus on the horror and its aftermath in the city before the Afghanistan war began; it therefore was a time capsule of the shock felt by before the resulting war. World Trade Exorcisms opened on October 8, within minutes of the opening bombing runs in Afghanistan. Exhibition artists and audience viewed the video of Osama Ben Laden and news of the bombings during the reception. The exhibition was held at Gallery X. "Chrono Zones" Time was the theme for Chrono Zones , and each artist's work was viewed as a time zone in itself. The artists' concepts of time ranged from Josy Cobb's autobiographical mixed media journal for 1993, Charlotte Ka's floor installation commenting on the burning of African-American churches in the South, Hugo Bastida's suspended action of the split-second a rider was falling off her horse, to Amir Bey's allegorical occult-inspired "Mutual Conception". The exhibition was held at The G-Spot Co-Lab Gallery. 2000
"Now Playing!" This exhibition featured work inspired by traditional movie stills and trailers. The work included video, animation, collage, installations, mixed media, photography, and photo manipulation. The subjects artists focused on represented views of life that are not found in mainstream film theaters, such as Marina Gutierrez's video installation on Amadou Dialo. The exhibition was held at Longwood Arts Gallery. 1999
"Janus in the Bronx" The 1999-2000 Artists' Space Program annual exhibition held at Bronx River Art Center and Gallery presented at two works by each artist, one representative of previous work, and the other showing work of the present/future. The results were "mini-retrospectives" of work by the artists. Ekayani and the Healing Band performed music and theater. "911 For Mumia" This was part of a nation-wide series of events held I support of the embattled activist who has been incarcerated for the murder of a police officer since 1982, and faces the death penalty. Artists used various media to address to challenge the death penalty's use. The Gerry Eastman Quintet performed original Jazz compositions. "Cellscape II" Originally held as the "Cellscape" exhibition at Bronx River in 1998, this show was the first to move from that location to be shown at another venue. It was held at The Brecht Forum in Manhattan with some new additions and variations. As before, the theme was on prisons and the societal causes leading to incarcerations. "Familiarity" Artists' autobiographical views of their family experiences were expressed and documented in this show. The changes in the notions of what a family is at the end of the millennium were examined by some of the artists. Nayo and Friends (Nayo Takasaki) performed very unique modern dance pieces that utilized the tall windows of the gallery accompanied by live music. "Social History Show VII: The Rivers Have Known Music" The seventh installment of the Social History Show exhibition series focused on the role of music for the African Diaspora in the Western Hemisphere. The artists explored the diversity of African-derived music which began in the "New World" and its impact around the globe. Nioka Workman's "her Reflections" was joined by Maria Mitchell's dance and choreography. 1998 "Art Comics" Unique approaches to comics by artists using a variety of media: oils, 3-D collage, pen and ink, computer imagery, and ceramic figures. Joseph Jarman, the renowned musician and poet who was accompanied by a percussionist, played saxophone, flute and read poetry. "Areas of Interest" This show featured installations from members of the Artists' Space Program at Bronx River Art Center and Gallery. These installations were a challenge to the artists, as they were asked to produce work that was a departure from the kind of work that most of these were known for. Radha Blank performed "Kenya", a one-person play consisting of vignettes from the poignant to the humorous. "Cellscape" Works by artists devoted to prisons and the societal causes leading to incarceration. Installations, paintings, photography, and mixed media collage were featured. A Poetry reading by Thea Martinez which focused on the experiences of the wife of a prisoner was featured. "Prism Textures" An exploration of multi-textured, multi-colored tapestries and computer generated works. The parallels between the craftsmanship of the traditional quilts and the weave-like patterns employed in the computer images were brought to light. Music and dance from Nioka Workman's EBON'S JAM! "Social History Show VI: New World African Spirituality" This was the sixth installment of a series of exhibitions focusing on African-American historical themes. The artists act as historians, their works as historical documents, and/or prognostications of the future. This exhibition's theme was the variety of spiritual forms found in the Western Hemisphere that had African origins. An innovative approach to steel drum music was performed by Anthony Reid's PAN IN FOCUS. 1997 "Body politics" This exhibition examined artists' intentions behind the use of the body in their work. A performance choreographed to explore this theme in dance by Noelle Dean and Sara Robledo involved the use of some of the work as props and background. "Fresh Reservoirs" Artists from the Bronx River's Artists' Space Program exhibit multi media works that are representative of new directions. Featuring Jazz from Roy Campbell and Tazz. "Hori-zonal Components" Urban and rural landscapes, rendered in paintings, photography, and conceptual and abstract sculpture with Andrea Del Conte, Flamenco dancer. "Social History Show V" This installment of the Social History Show exhibition series presented artists' work as autobiographical documents. Guitarist Cedric Turner played and sang excerpts from his one-person play Mr. Bluesman. 1996 "Cathedrals and Classrooms" Explorations of morality and education as they may exist institutionally and privately, with music by Nioka Workman's EBON'S JAM! quartet. "Altar-Bios" Bronx River's Artists' Space Program's create autobiographical images as altars and objects of devotion. The David Gilmore Ensemble performed tap dance and jazz. "Bridge" On-site installations by five contemporary artists from Japan, co-curator with participating artist Koichiro Tokumochi. Jazz performance by the Zen Matsuura Ensemble was performed. "Viewfinders" Five photographers, Sulaiman Ellison, Fred Floyd, Kunie Sugiura, Diane Tong, and Tenesh Weber. Greek and Northern Indian music featuring Roma performers Najma Ayashah and Lazaros Harisiadis. "Bronx Spaces" Co-curators' choices of artists from four Bronx Venues and organizations, including Bronx River, Lehman College, En Foco, and Longwood Arts Gallery at the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
"Lick: Intimacy Revealed" An exhibition of erotic art presented at The Emerging Collector, with a comedy performance by Amanda Vogel. "Social History Show IV" This was the fourth exhibition of the Social History Show series. In this installment the artists reflected on the value of subjective reality in shaping history. Dance and based on original choreography by Maria Mitchell and Black Pearl Dance Company. 1995 "The River's Edge" Works by the staff and participants of Bronx River's Artists Space Program was exhibited. A memorable performance of Eastern Indian dance by Ellora Patnaik was given. "Sites Specific" On-site installations by performers as well as participating artists were featured. This interaction grew out of the approach of the concepts of the performer, Nayo Takasaki, who often collaborates with installation artists or who incorporates installation art in her performances. "Rally! The Flag Show" Flags were created by artists using a variety of media. A performance of comedy/theater was given by Hassan and Epstein. "Social History Show III" This was the third installment of the annual series whereby art is presented as historical and social documents of the present that will eventually be indications of the future. Music by the Roy Campbell Ensemble was performed. 1994 "Images of Things to Come" Bronx River artists look to the future, with modern and Haitian dance by Ariene Pierre. "Modern Masters II" The second part of a series featuring works by mature artists, with painter/flautist Lloyd McNeill and photographer Georgetta Ryan. Music by Lloyd McNeill. "Contemporary African Art from the Skoto Collection" Works by African modern artists ranging from the traditionally inspired to western influenced, on loan from the Skoto Gallery collection. A performance of Yoruba music and dance by Dayo Olodundudu and the Children of Oduduwa Cultural Group. "Social History II: Black and Tan Fantasy" This was the second installment of this on-going series, which focused on the role of Jazz in defining African American identity, with music by the Craig Harris Trio. 1993
"Current Wave" Bronx River staff and resident artists work is featured. Music performed by the Tomas Ulrich Trio. "Urban Voices" Work with strictly urban stories to tell, with comedy by the Alien Comic. "Social History Show I" This was the inaugural exhibition of shows featuring the artist as historian, creating historical documents. Dance by Black Pearl Dance Company. 1992
"Gods of the Modern Age" Abstract works, Mr. Bey was co-curator with Bronx River Art Center and Gallery director Lynn Seeney. Dance performance and video presentation by Charles Dennis and Company. "Which Old World?" Artists challenge the accepted notions of "discovery" in the western hemisphere, with traditional dance by The Mohawk Singers and Dancers. "Modern Masters I" The first part of a series featuring works by mature artists, with Elizabeth Harrington and Walter C. Jackson. Solo music performed by Jeanne Lee. "Texture: Compare and Contrast" Each participating artist presents works in two mediums of contrasting textures, with traditional Chinese dance and mime by He An-Mei/Amy Harlib and poetry by Joe Wippler. 1991
"Six Steps" A group show of six Bronx River artists, with theater/dance by Idris Ackamoor and Rodessa Jones. "Continuum" This exhibition featured a collaboration between two African-American groups, Where We At (women) and Eusi (men), with a performance by Kalabash Dance Theater. 1990
"The Ceramicist: As Terrestrial Transformer" Works by ceramic artists featuring large sculptural pieces and on-site installations were exhibited. "Women's Work on Paper" Women artists present diverse approaches to work on paper, with a performance by Mass Transit Theater, "Getting it Together". "Oshogbo Art" An extensive review of the Oshogbo school of Nigerian art was exhibited. Mr. Bey was Co-curator with Noah Jemisen. A performance by Atchade Assongba of Benin, with L'homme Folklore Dance Company was given.
|
