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VBB’s Second Decade: 2011-12
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Fall 2011
a vbb living room art production Third Worlds:site-specific installations at residential spaces re-contextualizing socio-economic constructs underpinning relational parallels between the ethno-geographics of Third Ward, a historic afro-western locality in Houston, and the urban conflictual zone of Karachi, a megapolis of colliding communities located at the southern edge of Sindh, Pakistan- Part 1
VBB’s Fall season opener is a new version of our much-lovedliving room art series, this year produced in two homes in Houston’s Third Ward, and featuring cutting-edge art by more than 10 artists from Houston’s Third Ward and Karachi, Pakistan. Using video, installations, music and performance, artists will explore commonalities between cultures and histories of Houston and Karachi, and will interpret personal histories both taught and untaught, neighborhood stories and contemporary art as practices emerge in two communities located in different parts of the world. Third Ward artists will focus on various areas around the neighborhood, Houston's hub of black artistic, cultural, religious, and political institutions since the 1960s. Artists from Karachi will create work from and about Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, once home to the Sindhi community, many of whom were displaced after the 1947 splintering of the subcontinent. All are invited to bring your voices for open mic, and to join in the experience of rich experimental installations in two residential homes. There will be food, drink and a viewing of VBB’s prize-winning art carRevolution. Everyone is invited!
Through an open call for stories from the Third Ward and Karachi, eight narratives were selected and will be performed by artists Marcela Descalzi, Donna Garrett, Haya Fatima Iqbal, Chuck Jackson,John Pluecker, Robert Pruitt, Scott Sawyer, M'Kina Tapscott, Jenn Tyburczy, and Stalina Villarreal.
a vbb living room art production Third Worlds: site-specific installations at residential spaces re-contextualizing socio-economic constructs underpinning relational parallels between the ethno-geographics of Third Ward, a historic afro-western locality in Houston, and the urban conflictual zone of Karachi, a megapolis of colliding communities located at the southern edge of Sindh, Pakistan- Part 2
At Third WorldsPart 2, images and video captured at Part 1 will be exhibited inside the home and on VBB’s prize-winning art car Revolution. There will be conversation between community members, artists and activists about issues raised in the first show. Food and drink will be served and all are invited to join in the conversation!
VBB is excited to kick off our 2011-12 East End Live Art series with POLITIQUEER, a continuation of art and conversations from VBB's June 2011 production that presented art from the perspective of GLBT / queer artists. The December 2011 show is curated by Sima Shakhsari and Jennifer Tyburczy who announced an open call for artists leading to a rich variety of submissions from the community. The fourteen cutting-edge artists ultimately chosen for POLITIQUEER will present multidisciplinary art - video, performance, poetry, visual art and more. As always, there will be food, drink, open mic and community!
Love and partnership are complicated enough — but what happens when relationships cross borders/boundaries, identities and constructs of color and race in today's global world. We are excited to present, What’s Color Got To Do With It?, a continuation of VBB’s January 2011 production that tackled race and color in a global context. This show will explore the many sides of interracial relationships from the perspective of artists who are in them, and will feature local and international writers, visual artists and performers who address identity, race and relationship issues through art.
The evening's program is curated by woman with rish histories themselves: Kafah BachariManna — born in Iran and raised in Texas — is a writer and community activist, and Solkem N'Gangbet — born in Chad and raised in France — works in the field of cultural arts programming. Iranian-born lawyer and event planner, Shadi Jam, serves as VBB's project coordinator, and is working with the team of artists and curators to insure a dynamic evening filled with art, conversation, open mic and refreshments.
On April 14, 2012, Voices Breaking Boundaries (VBB) will hold our annual Valiente fundraiser, highlighting voices of struggle from the Houston and Karachi, Pakistan, in preparation for our May living room art production, Communities under Siege. Held at the Heights home of Jack and Ellen Hart, this year's Valiente fundraiser is an opportunity for YOU to support VBB and help us continue to fulfill our mission.
a vbb east end live art production Teachers and Students Speak Out 4
This show first kicked off in April 2009 to give voice to teachers to perform work produced through the Writing for Self Discovery Workshops that VBB offers for teachers who work with at-risk youth in Houston. The show has now been expanded to feature the voices of both teachers and students who participate in our workshops to explore their own creative voices. Teachers and Students Speak Out 4 is co-curated by VBB’s arts education facilitators, Marcela Descalzi and Jacsun Shah, who are both VBB co-founders. They will be joined by Jennifer Palermo, licensed professional counselor (LPC) and visual art expert. As always, there will be refreshments and open mic.
a vbb special event
Art Car Open Mic at Discovery Green
Photo: Josh N. Turner
Date TBA
Allen Parkway
$ Free
Participate in VBB’s art car Revolution’s open mic and join us by speaking out. In our 2010 Discovery Green event, we had artists of all ages ranging from view VBB's Art Car. The car contains an open mic podium and writers are invited to join us at Discovery Green to share your work.
Noon-2:00 pm, Saturday, May 12, 2012
Allen Parkway
$ Free
Join the Orange Show's Art Car Parade and view VBB's Art Car, Revolution (third installment). The car contains an open mic podium and writers are invited to join in the Parade and recite poetry.
Over the years, VBB has worked with a dynamic group of individuals who continue to bring new energy and passion to the organization by serving on our Board. This year, VBB is hosting a special East End Live Art production when Board members will either share their own art or bring their choice of art for you to experience. As always, there will be food and open mic.
"Persian Dream," copyright by Sarrah Zadeh
