Weekend Videos Feb 6-7: 131 Projects, Afrobeta, OT Postcard, and Deathface at White Room
#1: 131 Projects - The Orange Arena
I first saw 131 Projects video pieces during the 2008 Borscht Film Festival and instantly loved just about every art piece they've done. Often times abstract and set to a wide variety of beats and ambient sounds, there's just something about them that brings out my internal art snob. This is the way art should be done.
131 Projects' Website (www.131projects.com)
#2: Afrobeta - Nighttime
My love affair with Afrobeta is a well known fact. They were the first band we invited to take part in the Big City Breakdown video series, and they are also the first band I contacted when I put together REVMiami I (almost a year ago to the day).
Any single compliment or praise I could ever write about them will always fall short of what their music makes me feel. It's just undeniable. The combination of Tony Smurphio's music writing abilities paired with Cuci Amador's singing and general cuteness is a match made in heaven (could I be any more cliche here?).
If you haven't heard them, or gone to one of their live shows you are seriously doing yourself a disservice.
Afrobeta's Myspace (www.myspace.com/afrobeta)
#3: Video Postcard from OverTown shot by Charles "Stretch" Ledford
Truthfully, I never really embraced the "dark underbelly" of Miami culture, but to not acknowledge the role that it's played on this city's personality would be irresponsible.
Ever since watching Billy Corben's The U documentary, I really have become so much more aware of the "ghetto" elements tied to all of us, whether we like it or not. This video, done by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Charles "Stretch" Ledford, shows what many consider Miami's worst neighborhood, OverTown, with as little bias as humanly possibly. Focusing on the pure elements that make it what it is - the people. Be it playing checkers, hanging on the corner, washing a child's hands, this video focuses on the thing that no one can escape: everyday life, which is beautifully portrayed in the hands of a master photographer.
Charles "Stretch" Ledford's Website (www.stretchphotography.com)
#4: Overthrow Miami Presents Deathface at White Room (Jan 30)
I saw this video on the Sunday after I posted last week's Weekend Videos, and I really wish I had seen it before. I don't know anything about Deathface or his music, but the video's stop motion feel, coupled with the dance and glitch beats creates an ominous, yet playful, tone that offsets the gore in the video.
Also, how far have we come as a society when someone could use a video like this and it doesn't even raise a single eyebrow. Remember in the 1980's when congress wanted to ban the use of "bad language" in music? Then the societal outrage of Marilyn Manson? Can the bar even be pushed any further in terms of artistic expression? Does there have to be actual killing going on in art or music for people to get in an uproar again?
Nonetheless, I think it's fantastic. To see a dissipation of repression of cultural expression is a good thing. Remember, only 60 years ago, in the 1950's, people would justify murdering a man for having long hair. Now that's progress!
Overthrow Miami's Website (www.theoverthrow.com)
If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Also Like:
- Afrobeta at Mercury Lounge in NYC
- Weekend Videos Feb 13-15: Radar vs Wolf, ArtStreet: Sweat Records, Raffa & Rainer, Mute Miami
- Big City Breakdown 1: Afrobeta - "Nighttime"
- Weekend Videos: ArtOfficial, Otto von Schirach, Borscht Film Festival
- Revisited: Tristan Clopet -- Tours, EPs, and Growth as a Musician
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
