Printed on wood, copper and vintage books, 888 photographs make up this epic art installation. The 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year is fast approaching, and in alignment with this auspicious moment I have created this exhibition. It has been a process of reviewing and selecting from thousands of images spanning my 42 years in order to choose the 888 that reflect my journey thus far: protests and portraits, street moments and political movements, freaks, friends and family members. As a documentary and portrait photographer, one becomes an observer photographing the "beautiful strangers." However, looking at this large body of work another story comes into focus... my own, and that story is expressed in 888 Pieces of We.
Please join me on the 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year in this celebration.
- Keba Armand Konte
Friday, August 8th, 2008 8:08pm
Oakland Art Gallery
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| What others are saying about 888 Pieces of We
"Keba Konte's work accomplishes a great many things. In particular, with his photographic installation 888, he does things that exceed the reach and imagination of others. He combines a very personal expression with formal experimentation, doing that with visual flair and a heart felt embrace of family and community ."
Rene de Guzman, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum
"Inspired by his mother, a portrait photographer, early on he was picking up work photographing hip hop artists, which would ultimately fund his world travels, chasing politics to South L.A. or South Africa. 888 Pieces of We: A Photo Memoir is Konte's nonlinear spill of life reflections faded store fronts, staircases, musicians on the bandstand, tail fins cruising wide avenues. photograph on wood saturated in dreamy hues of sepia and wistful, almost melancholy hints of blue."
Lynell George, Los Angeles Times
"Keba captures an intimate strength and raw beauty in people through his art, which not only turns into the most dynamic pieces you wish you could own, but also gives a sense of political empowerment. Through his images he's shedding light on those of us who are too often left in the shadows."
Goapele, Bay Area Vocalist
"If the evolution of art owes itself a cutting-edge artist every now and then, the world of photography should be knee-deep in debt to the works of Keba Konte.
... Konte's work is equipped with a maximum authenticity that easily provokes emotional, intellectual, and political response"
East Bay Express (Cover Story 2005)
"No comment"
New York Times
"No comment"
Art in America
"No comment"
Mad Magazine
| | | A special thanks to guerilla cafe for the generous support of this art exhibition. Visit guerilla for the best in hand crafted espresso drinks, fly tee shirts, jackets and award winning waffles.
| Other places to experience the 88 Pieces collection:
There! New Art from Oakland.
August 9 through Sept 20, 2008
Gatehouse Gallery, Napa, Calif.
di Rosa Preserve: Art & Nature
88 Pieces of We Projections.
July 8 through Sept 8, 2008
Farmer Brown, S.F.
www.farmerbrownsf.com
nothing is done alone.
Big phat thanks to my hard working crew of youth from the Base (APC) who learned and earned blisters, splinters, cuts and dust inhalation. Talib "world travler" Freeman, Talib "tantrum" Shahid, Benjamin "scubafreak" Freeman, Chris "twisted humor" Reeves, Kevin "freshest skater alive" Davis and Abraham "mr. cool, calm and collected" Mc Elmore without these young men I could not have pulled this off.
Allow me to also thank my lovley hard working wife Rachel and daughter Assata Sun Ra who's love and support has carried me through this beast of a project. Sorry for missing so many family meals. To say I have been self absorbed would be an understatement, my 88 obsession surley must have driven you both to the edge.
As well, I owe a thanks to the photographers who's photographs I have coopted into this collection, many from my mother Pam whose photo archives are a virtual gold mind. Look out for an entire exhibition and catalog of her photography in the near future. I have also borrowed images from Aunt Dillie's photo album, Benjamin Freeman, Uri "my photoshop guru" Korn, Assata Konte, Rachel Konte and Jessica Konte.
My sister Lake for assisting with the web store, my godfather James "Nino" Borrelli for the ongoing text editing, Claude of the San Pablo Flea Market, the Oakland Art Gallery and Rene Deguzman of the Oakland Museum for the support.
Thanks to the Most High and I look forward to seeing you on the 8th.
Keba Armand "Hussein" Konte | | | |
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