06.032008
A past not easily forgotten...
Our recent posting about the South Philly Biennial has no intentions to be offensive in any way. Although, our installation is about South Philly's quirky custom of chaining chairs to the hand bar of a front stoop, we at 1026 understand how the grand image of Frank Rizzo serving as the backdrop, in our last blog entry, carries an evocative history that cannot be ignored.
As a local Philadelphian my blood often boils after confronting images of our former mayor, Frank Rizzo. It's a weird feeling to have, as I tend to carry thick-skinned sensitivity regarding such controversial figures. Yet, I think it's the nature of his position in Philadelphia's history that brings to the forefront an ambivalence surrounding many of our city's transgressions (past and present).
Many transplants to Philadelphia are not as familiar with these injustices, which are often attenuated in public discourse, and even...public art works (e.g. mural art).
It was my grandfather, my father, my uncles, aunt, and often parents of my friends that educated me about Philadelphia, it's history, as well as how to transcend some of the limitations that have resulted from that history. This collective education–rooted in personal stories of my elders–informed me a great deal of the level of corruption that existed under the supervision of Frank Rizzo. Rizzo was a corrupt Police Chief and politician whose pernicious influences encouraged police brutality and hate crimes in Philadelphia. Many times over the victims of these acts were members of minority groups such as gays, Asian-Americans, Latinos, Hispanics, Blacks, and African-Americans.
During his "public-service," Philadelphia was known to have one of the most corrupt police forces in the nation. A force that dutifully harassed gays; beat, and humiliated innocent persons of color; and racially profiled and illegally documented new immigrants. When Rizzo became the Mayor of Philadelphia, his crimes were extended to citywide extortion (the beginnings of what many have come to understand as the "pay-to-play" system in Philadelphia politics).
It is with this understanding that I felt a need to clarify the conscientiousness of the 1026 community. It is our understanding that any reification of the Rizzo legacy is similar to raising a Confederate flag; as it promotes an outdated world-view that doesn't apply to the collective community building beliefs shared in our space. With that said, we believe and support the freedom of speech without censorship. Nevertheless we understand that images and representations carry strains of history that can prick, provoke, and implicate social contexts that are not popular (some that would rather be forgotten). However, we do not, and will never forget....with hopes not to repeat or condone social troubles with ethnic difference, and economic equality.
Posted by HAo on 06.03.2008 in illadelphia | Permalink
06.012008
SOUTH Philly Biennial RIGHT NOW!
check it out from 12-6 at 9th & christian. in the dibrunos parking lot, across from gleaners, in front of the frank rizzo mural! HA!
Posted by Crystalstokowski on 06.01.2008 in illadelphia | Permalink
SOUTH Philly Biennial! rain date!
Tomorrow, Sunday, June 1st from 12-6pm in front of the Frank Rizzo Mural at 9th & Christian.
Space 1026 does an organic south philadelphia inspired installation in the midst of a sculptural art garden. there will also be performances from Sweatheart, Club Lifestyle and more!
www.southphillybiennial.blogspot.com
Posted by Crystalstokowski on 06.01.2008 in illadelphia | Permalink
05.252008
TONIGHT! Small Change Presents: FREE TRANSLATORS FILM SCREENING!!
Films and videos by Sabine Gruffat and Mary BillYou.
"Reminiscent of the do-it-yourself approach of the Riot Grrrl movement, this Spring two feminist provocateurs are taking their multimedia show on the road. Mary Billyou and Sabine Gruffat are hailing from Brooklyn, NY and Madison, WI to present “The Free Translators” touring east coast cities and towns with a program of radical videos and performances.
In between video screenings, The Free Translators present two “Live Tactical Translations,” or, live multimedia experiments inspired by 1970s feminist art and Soviet avant-garde news troupes. Culling from their library of text, sound, and image, alter egos Miss Reading and Miss Recognition communicate through matching headsets and manipulate analog recordings as they educate audiences in their unique methods of reading and comprehension." (ArtSlant)
SUNDAY May 25th
$5:00
8:00pm
@ Space 1026
www.smallchangescreenings.com
Posted by Tedpasson on 05.25.2008 in video | Permalink
SUNDAY NIGHT @ COPY
***EARLY SHOW 7PM***
this sunday @ copy gallery!
lucky dragons!
rowan and hastings!
cars will burn vs. holy ghost!
rainbro!
javelin!
james amoeba!
Posted by Markprice on 05.25.2008 in shows | Permalink
05.242008
FUZZ musical performance!
SATURDAY!May 24 - 7 PM -
Tickley Feather (Paw-Tracks) and Colin from USAisamonster (Load Records) perform. Tickley Feather grew up in central Virginia and now makes her home in Philly. Back in the day, Colin helped run a DIY show space (the PUDHOUSE!) in Charlottesville, VA. These days, he lives in Brooklyn and makes awesome noisy music.
$6 suggested donation.
Posted by Crystalstokowski on 05.24.2008 in shows | Permalink
05.232008
Shit's a Mess!
Promise we'll have it cleaned up before the show!
P.S. Roman did it