J. Sybylla Smith, In Conversation with Laurent B. Chevalier and Kris Graves

Episode #14 Summary:

Laurent B. Chevalier captures the essence of Blackness in lyrically sequenced black & white images from the streets and communities of New York City.

Episode Notes 

Enough, is a visual tapestry delivering moving witness to the pain, beauty, resilience, outrage, wonder and verve radiating from the heart of Brooklyn; thoughtfully woven with original poetry by Dr. Jamilla Lyiscott. Chevalier masterly constructs a virtual time capsule blending insight, concept and document into testimony, chronicling the embodiment of individual and collective agency and a community focusing forward. 

In this book group, Laurent B. Chevalier, and publisher, Kris Graves discuss, among other things:

  • Using one’s visual voice to advance representation and social justice

  • The power of being in conversation with your work

  • Discerning threads and themes from existing work

  • The importance of image sequencing 

  • The impact of collaboration towards layering concept and strengthening context

  • Music being integral to the creative practice 

Referenced in the episode

Kris Graves Projects

Laurent B Chevaliers’ Spotify Playlist

Black Body: Re-reading James Baldwin’s “Stranger in the Village” by Teju Cole, The New Yorker, August 19, 2014

Sharon Olds poem, For You, in text and audio

Seeing in Black Project : Amplifying Black visual narratives and supporting the following organizations:

Know Your Rights Camp

Youth Empowerment Project 

National Black Justice Coalition

Black Futures Lab

The Bail Project

Published by Kris Graves Project

Website | Instagram

Previous
Previous

J. Sybylla Smith, In Conversation with Denis Defibaugh

Next
Next

J. Sybylla Smith, In Conversation with Ben Brody