Cosmic Freedom

Inspired by the work of the Bronx Social Center / Take Back The Bronx, Hot Cabinet organized a multi-layered event with an animation workshop, film screening and artist/activist talk.

In our society, there has always been an idea of what the future will hold with expressions like “when pigs can fly” or “we’re going to party like it’s 1999.” In this regard, there is an intersection between futuristic video art and experimental films and the theoretical ideas of a utopian or dystopian future. As activists are fighting to keep our communities together in the wake of gentrification, others believe that revitalization results in displacement and their idea of utopia is a luxury paradise. Beginning with an animation workshop, where participants will respond to our rapidly changing society and create work that depicts a futurist dream or a dystopian nightmare. Then we will screening work from the workshop and also the video + film work of Bronx artists + filmmakers including Joiri Minaya, Edwin Gonzalez-OJeda, ALL RIGHTS AINT RESERVED ©, Anastasia Warren, Deborah Yasinsky and Anna Pásztor. A post-screening talk will happen with participating artists and members of Take Back The Bronx: Shellyne Rodriguez and Lisa Ortega. We will discuss how artists like revolutionaries can play an important part of community building instead of compromising our authenticity as critical thinkers and change makers.

Schedule of Events:

Animation Workshop

A paper stop motion workshop co-taught by Tiffany Joy Butler and Sarayah Wright. Open to all ages.

Film Screening

Screening the animations made in the workshop and videos and films of talented Bronx artists and filmmakers.

Artist and Activist Talk

A dialogue between artists and activists facilitated by Tiffany Joy Butler.

Located at Bronx Music Heritage Center, 1303 Louis Nine Blvd

on Saturday, October 5, 2019

This event was funded by the Bronx Council of the Arts.