Homeland by Megan Branch
Reflection and Response.
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!! -P & V
So, the other day, a cat well known round the LIFESTYLE came by with a surprise…dropped off a little flavor our way. Hope yall digg it. Peep the PAW PRINTS…
Reflection and Response.
Whas up y’all,
I’m still in the Lab on this one, cookin’ up the proper swing. I feel the most responsible decision is pushing the release of the second installation back to next week, Time and Space, “Break” will drop the 21rst of November. Thas right before Thanksgiving so let’s see what we can shake up. Thank you all for keeping up with the project and for keepin’ me on my toes. I’m not gone leave y’all empty handed though, I got a lil jig for y’all to groove on. Enjoy.
Live from the Workbench,
Samuel Bostick
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
Flowers make the world go round, Frowns turned to smiles
Blues take flight leaving behind a tune called delight
She has a great natural look, still she absolutely Shines ‘round flowers….something about ‘er
Jus some thoughts from a young romantic…
May spirits be up or down, the air is bound to change when flowers and plants are ‘round
To those who disagree: you may be moved neither today nor tomorrow, Still one day the power of floral beauty will strike either adding joy to a festivity or knock the edge off a heavy gloom. Receive your blessing.
Fluorescence of purple pedals on grey day, electronic shining under grey skies, standing proud—radiance profound, royalty in elegance and gown.
Field notes from a country kid…
The life, the growth, the way they smile and perk up, how they ask for water,
The freshness of air, the softness of petals, they feel, we feel each other
A relationship unique, breaths in cycle, refresh
Life arrangement we connect…intimacy, appreciation, beauty, respect.
Kiss a rose.
Scribbles off a green thumb…
Give a flower, show some Love.
Grow a plant, may it bloom—rejoice the power of botany, cooperative living.
Samuel Bostick
the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities. The Porch Swing series opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations.
November 2012
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
A handcrafted album in the works..
Reflection and Response.
V.
After a private English class lasting an hour and a half and cooking some dinner I had some time to put something together for the post today. Started with an acoustic guitar fingerpicking pattern on D major. Then threw some drums from Reason around with some drums from León and claps from California. Finally sampled the guitar part for the second part of the track. Reason/Ableton/Acoustic Guitar.
Reflection and Response.
-P
This week’s Reflection and Response featured artist is Brooklyn-based writer, educator, academic, and social entrepreneur Michele Jules. With a focus on youth empowerment, Michele utilizes dialogue grounded in historical truths to build toward the future. We’re excited to have her voice participate in the ongoing global conversation on Reflection and Response. Check out her interview and an excerpt from her writing below!
Reflection: Is being able to take in and respect all aspects of art, word and music…
– Michele Jules
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
MJ: Originally from California, Westside! My dad was a Marine… but was raised in Brooklyn, NY. Both, my parents families are live in Brooklyn. Im a New Yorker at Heart!!
I’ve grown here, failed and succeeded here. I still reside in Brooklyn, but I believe my time here in this city is ending, its time to start another chapter in a new setting, set a new foundation. My family will always be here, New York City is my home.
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
MJ: Reflection: Is being able to take in and respect all aspects of art, word and music seeing life through others’ eyes. If you can’t relate, you can in some way understand the emotion or point the person is trying to project.
Whether you agree or not, and how it makes you feel and think, your overall reaction is Response.
How does your work fit in with that definition?
MJ: I’m writing my first book, Yay!! I’m all about empowerment of youth, focusing my attention right now on young black women of all ages from their teens to late 20’s and maybe even older.
I see the world through a bigger picture, I’m not the only one on this planet, and I’m at point in my life where I’ve realized, I have to leave something behind and help in projecting better reflections, for the black youth in this world.
What have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next?
MJ: Working on a business with a great partner, catering to fitness and pursuing my M.A. in adolescent psychology. Staying focused with writing, which is so hard when there are so many other distractions.
Who or what inspires you all?
MJ: Faith, inspires me, I have a real relationship with God, we have deep conversations. I also, have a great support system filled with family and friends that keep me on track when I lose focus.
Is there anything else you would like the Collective to know?
MJ: I have a dire, deep love for animals, they are they only living creatures on this earth who do exactly, what they were put here to do.❤❤
I am big on Education, it’s power, it’s key and it’s the only thing the government can’t take from you.
Shout out to…
MJ: President Obama and Michelle, I Love you Guys! You show us the true meaning of hope, determination and family…
My family and friends and anyone who have helped in anyway to get me where I am today… You’re Awesome! Hug A Tree, peace! God is Love!
The LIFESTYLE for giving an aspiring writer this opportunity…. You’re Awesome too!
Do You Know Your “Real” History? I Know and Love Mine!
Hello World!
I’m a proud black woman with a passion for the betterment of my fellow black people, especially our children. I love all people, the world is full of beautiful people, but I hear a cry for help within our communities and in black youth and I’m destined to answer that call or at least reach a few cries before they become silent. I hope you enjoy the topics and please comment as your comments are what keep me aware and connected.
Sincerely,
An 80’s baby doing her part to help…. 🙂
So… I have come to realize so many black people, no matter what background have no idea about thier history and how great it is. And as some of you may not understand how this comes to bother me so much, I say in my defense that it sets a person back when they have no knowledge of where they come from. The struggles of our people were the highlights of our education, while the unbelievable accomplishments and contributions we have made in history were seldom or irrelevant. I come to understand this from working with black children of all ages, now I single out black children only because I relate to them personally. Our futures are merely a reflection of our pasts and so many young children have a dreadful reflection to look at, but that does not determine who they will be if surrounded by the right influences. “It takes a village to raise a child” parents can do what they can, but sometimes it takes someone else to see the value in that child and encourage achievement.Community is almost completely lost, hard times are getting harder and uniting seems out of the question! Get your hands dirty, learn about yourself , your history and what qualities you bring to the table. Improvise on them! I was once told if you can do something good then perfect it! Your twenties allow you to get to know yourself and the world around you, as young children our parents guide us the best way they know how, in adulthood is where you truly find your own balance and knowledge for your life ahead.Be proud of who you are and especially of where you come from, if you have children teach them this, dont leave it to the television or other young children to knowledge your child. Get involved! I know that it can be challenging to be a parent but with all brutal honesty, you made the choice or was given the blessing to have a child… Now lets get to work!We must encourage our youth to love themselves, educate themselves and represent themselves!
Peace and love
Jules
Reflection and Response.
Untitled by Danny Kaufman
Reflection and Response.
The Snapshots From the Collective series works to create a space for Reflection and Response through photography. ANYone who wants to contribute ANY photos to this project can email us submissions at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com. One photo will be posted each week, and photos will only be used for the purposes of this series. Thank you and we look forward to building and expanding the Collective!!! -P & V
Chase: Cat and Mouse, Time and Space, by Samuel Bostick.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons, Jim Natale.
Chase: Cat and Mouse, Time and Space
Dashing flashes alerted masses of oncoming fury, Danger spoken in voz of crashes—war cries forewarning the unconcerned to take refuge, take arms or get fuck out the city. Deeper than jus a storm, this was the oncoming clash of Titons! Seas churned operationally violent in frightened response to the angered enlight’ment of the mighty Triton, El dios Chac-mool se levantó con sed de la sangre en la garganta.
Thunder, the unseen drummer veiled in ceremonious garbs delivering booms, rocking tombs and prophesying doom. This is jus the beginning, the first stage of gloom, an introduction to battle. It has begun; the vision ancestors scribed down, the dream oral traditionalist foretold, the epic of which the scopes had sung.
Swelling seas of grey, clouds crawling across the sky heavy with the weight of disappoint seeking proper place to unload. To release, to cry out, to Superman Deez–O’s. Aware; the brewing of a storm demands bare attention.
Chilling thrills ripped in over the coast, howling scowls prowled streets sending summons to spirits and stirring any stagnation that had lay beneath. Cutting quick, shifting swift slashing into and burning mental as the unseen Ginsu unsheathed.
Regret, the ultimate confidence killer…neither time nor space for that.
Still there is hope so take the knife of doubt and self pity away from your throat. Watch the youth, take lesson from their brilliance. The storm ripped out a tree from the ground and threw it into a park. Crashing over the fence it lay in the scene as a testimony to hostile time past. The children won’t be stopped, no way no how. They welcomed this new addition to the playground with zeal and zest! Taking to it as a new prop for playtime adventures; climbing on, running round it, maybe it was a castle or a forest hideaway who knows! Still they were appropriating it in proper fashion. Climbing a tree had never seemed so fun, never so powerful, never so sacred as it did as these young ones reclaimed their space. And they did it with imagination, style and grace. The imagination and awareness to overcome the prelude of tragedy; smiles, laughs, and the simple ability to have a great time…the beauty of youthfulness. I mean these young ones were really ROMPING into that tree!! It was GREAT. These are champions! Turning tragedy to triumph is their badge.
Stay Cool Y’all,
Bostick
Samuel Bostick
the LIFESTYLE’s role is to create collective space for active Reflection and Response through the arts. This space is built around dialogue, expression, collaboration, and artistic (ex)change involving international craftspeople and their realities. The Porch Swing series opens up a Reflection and Response residency where we feature a Collective member’s ongoing project through weekly installations.
November 2012
Reflection and Response.
Events from the Collective is a calendar of upcoming events from the LIFESTYLE collective’s international community. Events can be submitted at anytime to the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com or @LIFESTYLE_RR and will be added to the calendar as they roll in.
the LIFESTYLE 