The Bang Bang Project Exhibition Tour on November 20, 2015

By: Jovie Calma

 

“Enough of Racism! Enough of Police Brutality! The Bang Bang Project! Hold those who serve and protect us to their highest accountability. Paint and brushes are my weapons. The canvas tells my story. As a Post Realist Social Justice Artist, The Bang Bang Project was born the day of Michael Brown’s killer was acquitted. We want justice now. Continued abuse of power are perpetuated towards people of color every second. We need to address this issue and act now. No one should be arrested and be found dead three days later due to supposedly suicide on a traffic violation. It will take all of us to change a system. This is my contribution to the dialogue of race and police brutality. Support my project. It is ours. Together we can make a difference and talk about the elephant in the room called Racism and productively change the system through dialogue, understanding and compassion.”

These are the words from the known international visual artist, Cesar Conde who’s debuting The Bang Bang Project Exhibition Tour on November 20, 2015.

The Bang Bang Project introduces a multimedia production of the visual arts and live performance featuring Cesar Conde in collaboration with writer and accomplished Theatre Director, Mignon McPherson Stewart. The dynamically artistic combination will result in a historic, breathtaking exhibition tour to be held at the Zhou B Art Center, the 4th Floor Exhibition Suite of the Art NXT Level Projects hosted by Sergio and Yanina Gomez.

Cesar Conde is a post-contemporary painter; he uses old world technique using modern materials to paint his realistic portraits. He’s a Filipino-American Chicago based artist who was primarily self-taught until he hit a wall with his technical skills. Upon realizing his artistic limitations, Cesar decided to study at Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy with John Michael Angel, who apprenticed for Pietro Annigoni. He also studied with Master Painter of Technique Mixte, Patrick Betaudier in his atelier in Monflanquin, France. Cesar’s influences are Carravaggio, Rehmbrandt, and Goya. He continues to learn and explore the infinite possibilities of painting.

Cesar’s series “In The Hood- Portraits of African American Professionals Wearing a Hoodie” won the first Paul Collins Diversity Award in ArtPrize 2014. He was an Artist In Residence sponsored by Hebru at Lacuna Artist’s Lofts. He also was an Artist In Residence in Monastir, Tunisia. Cesar has exhibited in museums and galleries nationally and internationally. He is currently in group exhibit in Taipei and has participated in Miami Art Basel 2013 and 2014. Just recently, Cesar was in the Philippines to paint a mural along with 9 other artists. This fall, he will exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago sponsored by a grant from The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation in a show called “Art and Anthropology”. His works are in corporate and private collections. Latest acquisition of Cesar’s work was by Grand Valley State University.

The Bang Bang Project, this multimedia production will seduce the audience and draw these observers in to a dialogue reflecting on what we have lost, what we stand to lose and how we must use our collective voices to combat this bloody cycle. The Project Team’s goal is to develop ethical and socially responsible public affairs campaigns for the Bang Bang Project. The Bang Bang Project Partners serve as ambassadors building grassroots coalitions, disseminate project materials, act as project liaisons, increase project visibility, and solicit community support and involvement.

The project partners will provide access at the local and grassroots level to successfully tap into community constituencies’ networks of family, friends, neighbors, community leaders, faithbased organizations, co-workers, and local elected officials that are the backbone to successful community coalition building. Through collaborative partnerships, our goal is increased visibility, social awareness, and to continue generating a national division on race-relations.

The Bang Bang Project will act as a catalyst for change by creating a safe area where discussion of highly sensitive issues can occur. The Bang Bang Project through the brilliance of Cesar Conde’s portraits with the captivating live performance written and directed by Mignon Stewart McPherson hopes to create the right atmosphere where open discussions occur on police brutality, racial profiling, race-relations, stigmas, and wrongful deaths.

This exhibit introduces and nurtures a safe haven for public discussion and encourages a call to action to eliminate “Dream Shots” from being a social norm. The Bang Bang Project will challenge every exhibition observer to ensure all of our children live free of fear and grow to fulfill their destinies, which serves to enrich everyone’s lives. Help “The Bang Bang Project” Fundraising Campaign, you can go to www.gofundme.com/bangbangproj ect and pledge your financial support to help them reach their financial goal.

Before I end my article, allow me to extend my special birthday wishes to Tita Toni Angeles and Maricar Garcia (Sept 4), Leah Pili (Sept 5), Kuya Butch Zamora (Sept 6), Eurice Calma (Sept 13), Tita Kiss Garcia (Sept. 20), Jessielle Campo (Sep. 20), and Maricris Garcia (Sept. 27). Happy Wedding Anniversary to my Dad Ricky and Mom Connie Calma (Sept. 20) as well as to Ditche Jennifer and Kuya Butch (Sept. 5). I would like to take this opportunity to invite everyone as we salute and recognize our distinguished awardees for the 21st Annual Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 14, 2015 to be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue Rosemont, IL. 60018. For reservation and more information, please call: 773-866-0811. To all Via Times Readers and CPRTV viewers, thank you for your continued support. Until the next issue of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE! Please visit www.viatimes.net and be our Facebook Fan! God Bless Us All!

(1) VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma photo opportunity with the known internationalvisual artist and actor, Cesar Conde; (2) Bang Bang: Save the
Date- November 20th for The Bang Bang Project Exhibition Tour at the Zhou B Art Center!

“Build someone up and remind others of their worth and be the light in a too-often dim world,” was one of the highlights of VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma’s interview with the Hollywood Actress and Hall of Famer, Mae Flores for anniversary episode of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE at CPRTV!

 

VT/CPRTV’s Jovie Calma had a one-on-one interview with the stage actor and model, Dylan Lainez as part of Wassup?! Jovie Calma LIVE’s anniversary episode at CPRTV.