The Black Aesthetic: April 26, 2018 - Poetry Center Digital Archive

The Poetry Center presents The Black Aesthetic, including curatorial members Jamal Batts, Ryanaustin Dennis, and Leila Weefur, together with contributors Shah Noor Hussein, Christian Johnson, and Ismail Muhammad, each reading and in conversation. After an introduction to the project, the writers each read their contributions to The Black Aesthetic Season II (Wolfman Books, 2018). The readings are followed by a conversation with the audience.

Group Reading (00:41:12)

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Following an introduction by Steve Dickison, city Zoe Samudzi's introduction to The Black Aesthetic Season II, Jamal Batts speaks to the mission of The Black Aesthetic and the meaning behind their acronym TBA, also meaning "to be announced," thus anticipating a future. He then introduces Christian Johnson, who speaks to the legacy of photographs of lynchings used as postcards, and reads his brief piece from The Black Aesthetic Season II. Johnson introduces Leila Weefur, who reads from her piece, "The Dialectics of Black Space." She introduces Ismail Muhammad, who reads "13 Ways: An Occasional Story," explaining that its structure was inspired by Wallace Stevens. Ryanaustin Dennis then reads the first of his "Three Gestures on Blackness." Shah Noor Hussein talks about "Black Woman as God," an art exhibition in Oakland, then reads from a piece she wrote in preparation for the exhibition. Lastly, Batts reads from his piece about anal sex, titled "Taste n' Sniff."

Conversation (00:44:48)

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The participants in The Black Aesthetic reading take questions from the audience. They are asked about Zoe Samudzi's introduction to The Black Aesthetic Season II and how they can complicate the idea of a post-blackness or post-colonialism. Ryanaustin Dennis states that the "post" acts as a placeholder to think through the boundaries of whiteness, and Jamal Batts references Fred Moten, noting blackness as "before" has always troubled notions of white supremacy. They are asked about blackness expressed or conceived by other people. Leila Weefur explains that people think about blackness in different ways. Dennis agrees, citing the importance of group curatorial and contributor work to The Black Aesthetic. The group members explains their origin story and discuss how they met one another. They advise students to find what they are passionate about and tell their stories. They end by talking about The Black Aesthetic's upcoming projects, while also discussing what they are presently enjoying in terms of books, film, and music.

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Added to Poetry Center Digital Archive on May 25, 2018.

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The Black Aesthetic: April 26, 2018 (Updated a year ago)

Group Reading (00:41:12)

Conversation (00:44:48)

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The Black Aesthetic: April 26, 2018 (Updated a year ago)

Group Reading (00:41:12)

Conversation (00:44:48)

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