Building a Shrine with Assiyah Jamilla Touré
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In this first episode, we are introduced to the work of multidisciplinary artist, Assiyah Jamilla Touré. They read selected poems from their debut collection of poetry called Autowar and walk us through the process of building a shrine.
About the Artist
Assiyah Jamilla Touré is a multidisciplinary artist of West African descent. They were born and raised on Skwxwú7mesh land and lived for many years in Kanien’kehà:ka territory (Montreal) and are now based on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Wendat (Toronto). In 2018 their chapbook feral was published by House House Press. Autowar is their first full-length collection.
Purchase Autowar here.
Weaving and Meditation with Omi and Kais
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In this episode, we meet emerging writers Omi Rodney and Kais Padamshi. The two were a part of a cohort of writers who published new works in Griot: Six Writers Sojourn into the Dark. Omi and Kais introduce us to their work and each share an offering for viewers to engage with ideas they explore in their writing.
About the Artists
Omi is a Jamaican writer weaving stories from Tkaronto. Their artistic focus lies in documenting and reimagining the Black Atlantic, with an emphasis on the Caribbean. They are surrendering to history as their ancestors tell it.
Kais Padamshi is a Black East African-Mixed settler based in Tkaronto/Toronto (Treaty 13) working as a visual artist, published writer, playwright, equity consultant, arts administrator, wellness facilitator and community worker. His writing practice encompasses academic, research-based texts, curatorial essays, poetry, and exhibition reviews centering African Diasporic narratives. His writing practice focuses on themes of cultural identity, belonging, de-colonial futures in addition to individual and collective healing.
Purchase Griot: Six Writers Sojourn into the Dark here.
Exploring Vinyl with DJ Smooth Transitions
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In this third episode, we are introduced to Sahra Soudi aka DJ Smooth Transitions. They share with us their perspective on vinyl as a way of carrying memory, the origins of their DJ name and a special mix.
About the Artist
Sahra is a multimedia artist, curator, educator, and community organizer based in Hamilton, Ontario. They have advocated for the participation of Black and radicalized creatives from artist-run centres to national galleries and DIY venues. They are an emerging curator who is interested in disrupting ableism and colonialism through practices that empower marginalized communities.
Check out their online community radio project, Total Niceness here.
About Library of Infinities TV
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Library of Infinities TV is a web series that showcases the work of emerging Black storytellers in Canada. Each episode features a guest with special offerings to share with viewers while inviting you into the vibrant world of the Library of Infinities.
About the Director
Ayo Tsalithaba is a visual artist originally from Ghana and Lesotho. Their primary mediums include film, photography and illustration. Their work explores questions of home, (in)visibility, liminality and (un)belonging as they relate to Black queer and trans* African diasporic subjectivity. Ayo has been featured in Huffington Post Canada, The Fader, Flare Magazine, Manifesto, TFO, The Kit, the University of Toronto magazine, Munch Magazine and they have made music videos with Queer Songbook Orchestra, Lydia Persaud, Tika, Bernice, Desiire and Emma Frank. They have screened their films and appeared on panels at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Free, University of Toronto, George Brown, the Revue Cinema, Xpace Cultural Centre, and more.