ELEVATE 2015 putting proper spin on ‘Forever I Love Atlanta’ (event schedule)

? The Dungeon is coming Downtown this October for the City of Atlanta’s fifth annual ELEVATE public art festival. The curator for 2015, celebrated Atlanta visual artist Fahamu Pecou, previewed his plans yesterday for the nine-day fest, centered around the theme “Forever I Love Atlanta (F.I.L.A.),” in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
?
? The acronym F.I.L.A., of course, was cemented with the 2004 Lil Scrappy song of the same name. But the sentiment is has remained a definitive part of the city’s creative consciousness. With Atlanta pride rising as the core of the city continues to make a comeback, this year’s theme doubles as a show of appreciation to the cultural elements that helped make Atlanta a city of international renown over the past two decades.
?
? “In the last couple of years, we’ve seen a great resurgence in terms of creative communities that are here,” said Pecou. “And we wanted to do something that celebrated Atlanta for what makes Atlanta special and not just constantly comparing it to other places. Atlanta is Atlanta. It’s a very unique place and we wanted to have this year’s theme reflect that.”
?
? The main highlight among the announced schedule of events includes a replica installation of the oft-mythologized original Dungeon, where the members of OutKast, Goodie Mob, and fellow artists Big Rube, Witchdoctor, and Cool Breeze got their start as the Dungeon Family. Joining Pecou onstage in the atrium of City Hall for the press conference were the men of the hour, Organized Noize co-founders and legends Ray Murray and Rico Wade. Along with Sleepy Brown, their three-man production unit is responsible for putting Atlanta on the map, from East Point to Decatur, with a sound that came straight out the Dungeon.
? ?
?Nowadays, “the Dungeon is wherever we are,” Wade said. But the original Dungeon was the name they bestowed upon the basement of Wade’s mother’s house in Lakewood Heights, due to the exposed overhead pipes and red clay walls. Out of that dank environment emerged the red clay funk that would power Dungeon Family and empower an entire generation of young Atlanta.
?
? The Art of Organized Noize opening reception and exhibition, hosted by Wade and Murray, will use archival objects, photos, and equipment to trace the legacy of Dungeon Family. It kicks off ELEVATE from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 15 at Gallery 72.
?
? For Wade, everything has come full circle with the rising status of the arts in Atlanta. ”What we did in the ’90s as far as bringing the arts to Atlanta and making kids in Atlanta appreciate their talent and what they could do, this is equally important,” Wade said. “It’s different levels of the arts and the more forms of creative expression you have, the more balanced you are as a human being.”
?
? Alongside Pecou, Wade, and Murray stood City of Atlanta Chief of Staff Candace Byrd, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs Camille Russell Love, and City Councilman Kwanza Hall. While Love recalled her son, producer Craig Love, getting his start early on with Organized Noize, Hall reminisced on sporting FILA sneakers while growing up in southwest Atlanta.
?
? In addition to the kick-off event, Love listed the remaining schedule of events (below) as well as many of the artists and organizations that will be contributing installations, live music, and performance art to ELEVATE. They include Chris Chambers, Jason Kofke, Gwendolyn Kitty Pope, Lionel Daniel, Heritage High School, Max Woo, Bent Frequency, Angela Davis Johnson, Allways Open Creative & Brandon Sadler, Vek Neal, and many more. Pecou also introduced his creative team, Karen Marie Mason and Kembo Tom (GTM).
?
? Other highlights include a walking tour of all F.I.L.A. installations hosted by curator Pecou, panel discussions with prominent Atlanta artists, including an interSessions art x hip-hop dialogue hosted by Pecou, and the ELEVATE Block Party on Fri., Oct. 16, hosted by Emperor Searcy and featuring DJ Jelly, DJ Speakerfoxxx, Cheeba, Wabi Sabi, and the Atlanta Stilt Dancers.
?
? Though the full list of events and participating artists has yet to be released, a partial event listing is below. We’ll update as more information is released.
?
???? ??
? Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015
? The Art of Organized Noize Exhibition | Opening Reception & Exhibition Opening
? Gallery 72 | 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 5pm – 7pm
? When Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Pat “Sleepy” Brown formed Organized Noize in the early 1990s, hip-hop was in the midst of a vicious (and ultimately fatal) bi-coastal turf war. While historically polarized between (North) East Coast rap artists and West Coast rap artists, Organized Noize completely changed the direction of hip-hop culture, its sounds and expression.
?
?
? This exhibition traces the legacy of Organized Noize and their Dungeon Family Collective (which includes Outkast, Goodie Mob, Joi, Slimm Cutta Calhoun, Big Rube and more) from their dirt-floor basements to stages around the world. The exhibition features archival items from Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family including photographs, artwork, studio equipment, notebooks, costumes and more.
?
?
? Friday, Oct. 16, 2015
ELEVATE 2015 Block Party
? Woodruff Park | 51 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 7pm – 10pm
? Hosted by Emperor Searcy and featuring DJ Jelly, Speakerfoxxx, JIVA, Wabi Sabi and Atlanta Stilt Dancing
?
? Week-long Installations by:
? Chris Chambers, Heritage High School, Jason Kofke, Joseph Dreher, Kitty Pope, Lionel Daniel, Lumumba Mogerie, Max Woo, Nelly Bonilla, Rachel K. Garceau, Bent Frequency, Sanithna Phansavanh, Angela Davis Johnson, AllWays Open Creative/Brandon Sadler, Balmori Associates, Vek Neal, Rico Wade and Ray Murray.
?
?
? Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015
Art in the Park
? Woodruff Park | 51 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 12pm – 3pm
? With installation and performances by Max Henry Woo, Lionel Daniels and “Bent Frequency”. Live music on the Atlanta Streetcar.
?
? Dance City Melting Pot – by Max Henry Woo
? Members of the Atlanta Dance World, Zulu Nation, and Jungle Boogie crew will be collaborating and battling against each other in a series of performances showcasing the history and culture of Atlanta’s original and adopted Hip-Hop dance styles.
?
? Rising Consciousness – by Lionel Daniels
? Local painter, Lionel Daniels will participate in a live art performance painting historical images of Atlanta on canvas in Woodruff Park.
?
? Music for a Captive Audience – by Bent Frequency
? This exhibit turns the newest downtown feature, The Atlanta Streetcar, into Atlanta’s first mobile performance venue. For 14 hours during ELEVATE 2015, musicians from Atlanta’s premiere contemporary music ensemble Bent Frequency will occupy the street cars to give free concerts to riders for the duration of the loop route. These performances will offer visitors, concertgoers and adventure seekers a unique sonic landscape and will feature 12 musicians performing in various combinations of solos, duos, trios, and quartets.
?
? Sunday, October 18th, 2015
LiFT Salon
? Gallery 72 - Auditorium | 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 3pm – 5pm
?
? Hosted by Nasim Mahboubi Fluker and Clint Fluker, LiFT Art Salon is a monthly gathering of young professionals, artists and social activists. The organization is aimed to foster dialogue and inspire creative solutions to the problems that face society and Atlanta’s broader community. LiFT’s monthly salon format provides a space for local emerging visual artists, musicians and social entrepreneurs to build community, share ideas and learn about innovative projects in and around the city.
?
? Monday, Oct. 19, 2015
Art in the Park
? Woodruff Park | 51 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 12pm – 3pm
? With installation and performances by Max Henry Woo, Lionel Daniels and “Bent Frequency” Live Music on the Atlanta Streetcar.
?
? ELEVATE 2015 Curator Tour
? Woodruff Park | 51 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 1pm – 2pm
? Join curator Fahamu Pecou on a guided tour of ELEVATE “Forever I Love Atlanta (FILA)”. Tour will begin in Woodruff Park.
?
? Tuesday, October 20th
NEXT: Raising the Temperature with New Arts Organizations Panel Discussion Moderated by Bem Joiner
? Gallery 72 - Auditorium | 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
? Atlanta’s contemporary arts scene is thriving and this is partially due to the spirit of innovation evidenced by the explosion of new arts organizations, collectives, institutions and funding sources. This panel will allow the public to hear from some of these new organizations and learn about their programs, their vision and why they believe Atlanta is the ‘Silicon Valley’ of creative start-ups.
? Panelists include: In Art, ATL Art Girls, T. Lang Dance Company, and Atlanta Creative Mornings
?
? Wednesday, October 21st, 2015
Art in the Park
? Woodruff Park | 51 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 12pm – 3pm
? With installation and performances by Max Henry Woo, Lionel Daniels and “Bent Frequency” Live Music on the Atlanta Streetcar.
?
? The Art of Organized Noize Panel Discussion Moderated by Maurice Hobson, PhD
? Rialto Center for the Arts | 80 Forsyth St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 7pm – 9pm
? Learn about the history and legacy of Organized Noize directly from the source. Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Pat “Sleepy” Brown discuss the origins and impact their work has had on hip hop culture in Atlanta, the South and globally.
?
? Thursday, October 22nd, 2015
Bridging the Gap Panel Discussion Moderated by Burnaway’s Stephanie Cash
? Gallery 72 - Auditorium | 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
? Atlanta’s arts institutions are critical to the overall cultural landscape. However n a city that’s constantly changing in tastes, styles and even geographically, determining the most effective means of engagement can be a challenge. Join us as we talk with representatives from Atlanta’s premiere institutions in a conversation about engagement, outreach, programming and more.
? Panelist include: High Museum, MocaGA, The Contemporary, Spelman Museum and Zuckerman Museum of Art’s Critics
?
? Friday, October 23rd
Art in the Park
? Woodruff Park | 51 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 12pm – 3pm
? With installation and performances by Max Henry Woo, Lionel Daniels and “Bent Frequency” Live Music on the Atlanta Streetcar.
?
? interSessions: The Artx Hip Hop Dialogues
? Rialto Center for the Arts | 80 Forsyth St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 | 7pm – 9pm
? Fahamu Pecou Art presents interSessions™, a series of curated conversations between notable figures from the arts community and the hip-hop community mediated by artist Fahamu Pecou. The series is dedicated to interrogating art and hip-hop not as isolated encounters, but rather where they intersect, how they complement and enhance each other, and, ultimately, how in conversation they act to transgress the status quo. ??
? For more information, visit ocaatlanta.com.