Point 8
So what is “Point 8” again?
It is an informal group of artists, designers, etc. who run the Pecha Kucha Charlotte series, and of course, this blog — right? True, that’s what we have been doing mainly for the last couple of years. However we started off differently. The group, (and later on, this blog) derives our name from discussion forums, which we used to organize. And after a two-year hiatus, we are excited to announce that we are restarting the forums.
What happens at those forums?
They are open venues that bring together creative individuals from a broad range of fields (along with anyone who is interested in arts/design/any kind of creativity) and try to find the common ground between them through discussion and objective critique (see our statement from six years ago). The normal format is for a person or a group to do a short presentation about a topic/theme/idea that they are experts in and/or are passionate about, followed by a discussion about it. The presenters get to reach and receive input from a far broader range of people from outside their normal audience. The participants gain new understanding of ideas, media and concepts which helps broaden their outlook, and their own creative potential (see the list of topics covered over the years).
If Pecha Kucha offers an opportunity to sample a wide range of works and ideas in a short period of time, the forums offer an opportunity to understand one topic in depth, and to discuss it with others from different backgrounds. We consider the two formats to be complementary, and equally important.
The first one in the new series would be next Tuesday (May 18) night at 6 p.m. (more details here). It will be led by the artists from God City.
Why God City?
As most people know, God City is a super-talented, young group of local artists who have been creating waves ever since they joined together in 2005. Their playful and bold work tackle difficult subjects like class, identity, consumerism – issues that that rarely get discussed in the context of creativity (at least in this town).
- Wolly Vinyl: "Afro SAM." Images courtesy of the artists.
They are also our home-grown practitioners of “Hip-Hop Art” (a rather simplistic label for a very broad range of approaches, styles and media ranging from graffiti to corporate branding) which is perhaps at a stage where its musical sibling was at in early eighties: mature and complex, and about to transform from an underground movement into one of mainstream global significance (see the recent article from CL Atlanta).
- Antoine Williams: “She Used to Love Him”
Moreover, the session perfectly ties in with one of our main objectives: to understand and appreciate the talent and potential we have around us, and thus help develop it. Great art requires an enlightened audience. And creativity needs critique.
Be a part of the endeavor. Join us next Tuesday.
What: From the Ain't Gots to the Have Nots — Class, Identity and Art
Presentation & Discussion led by the artists from God City
When: Tuesday, May 18, 6–7:30 p.m.
Where: Mint Museum of Art (2730 Randolph Road 28207)
(Free and open to the public. RSVP not required)
More info: www.point8.org
This session of Point 8 Forum will be a part of a unique 10-day citywide art festival called Southern Holiday. More info here: southernholidayisrad.com
