SaturdaySCREENINGS @ ArtRage

Filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s politically charged, Oscar-nominated documentary follows a group of low-income families struggling to protect an urban farm from bureaucratic real estate developers. The fourteen-acre community garden at 41st and Alameda in South Central Los Angeles is the largest of its kind in the United States. Started as a form of healing after the devastating L.A. riots in 1992, the South Central Farmers have since created a miracle in one of the country’s most blighted neighborhoods. Growing their own food. Feeding their families. Creating a community.

But now, bulldozers are poised to level their 14-acre oasis.

The Garden follows the plight of the farmers, from the tilled soil of this urban farm to the polished marble of City Hall. Mostly immigrants from Latin America, from countries where they feared for their lives if they were to speak out, we watch them organize, fight back, and demand answers: Why was the land sold to a wealthy developer for millions less than fair-market value? Why was the transaction done in a closed-door session of the LA City Council? Why has it never been made public? And the powers-that-be have the same response: “The garden is wonderful, but there is nothing more we can do.” If everyone told you nothing more could be done, would you give up?

A lightning rod for controversy in 2004, this cause célèbre drew the attention of numerous notable activists and politicians, including Dennis Kucinich, Joan Baez and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigoisa.

$5 suggested donation
ArtRageous art for peace & social justice
ArtRage is handicapped accessible
Off street parking at 408 & 414 Lodi Street

This is the last week to see the work of

BEEHIVE COLLECTIVE!

exhibit runs thru October 24, 2009

HOURS: W, Th, F 2-7pm & Sat. 12-4 pm

The Beehive Design Collective is a 100% volunteer driven non-profit political organization that uses graphical media as educational tools to communicate stories of resistance to corporate globalization. The purpose of the group, based in Machias, Maine, is to “‘Cross-pollinate the grassroots” by creating collaborative, anti-copyright images that can be used as educational and organizing tools. The Beehive Collective is most renowned for its large format pen and ink posters, which seek to provide a visual alternative to deconstruction of complicated social and political issues ranging from globalization, free trade, militarism, resource extraction, and biotechnology. 

The Bees will give a presentation prior to the opening reception on September 17th as a part of Syracuse’s Third Thursday events. They will also give workshops for high school and college students at Cazenovia College during their stay. Storytelling is a major facet of the Collective’s educational work. Members of the group undertake international lecture circuits with giant fabric reproductions of their posters as storytelling aids.

“Picture lectures” frequently feature a Plan Colombia graphic thirty feet in height and a six foot tall fabric flipbook/storybook used as a sequential visual tool.

Keep visiting our website for updates on the films and presentations accompanying the exhibit. ArtRage is handicapped accessible. Off-street parking at 408 & 414 Lodi Street

GLOBALIZE RESISTANCE TO THE NUCLEAR REVIVAL
a free workshop with French activist and nuclear power expert Yves Marignac

Please join us for an opportunity to learn from French activist and nuclear power expert Yves Marignac on fighting the revival of nuclear power…Constellation Energy currently owns the Nine Mile Point 1 & 2 nuclear plants near in Oswego, NY. They have partnered with the EDF (Electricite de France) Group to create Unistar Nuclear Energy, which is pursuing permits to build and operate new nuclear power reactors, including the proposed Nine Mile Point 3. A new nuclear power plant would divert resources from urgently needed conservation and renewable energy projects and lock NY into an outdated and dangerous energy source for decades to come. Learn how you can support the struggle for clean, safe energy; what’s wrong with the new EPR nuclear plant design; and lessons we can learn from France’s dependence on nuclear power and reprocessing of nuclear fuel. Refreshments provided. Free to the public. At ArtRage Gallery, 505 Hawley Ave. 218-5711

This event is organized by the CNY chapter of the Citizens Awareness Network and hosted by the Artrage Gallery in conjuction with its fall exhibit by the Beehive Collective, on display Sept. 17-Oct. 24.

SaturdaySCREENINGS

ANGELS AND INSECTS (1999)
Krostom Scott Thomas, Mark Rylance
From our film curator, Jeffrey Gorney: “One of the most intricate, well-made films I’ve seen. The acting is tremendous, the imagery is subtle yet stunning. A film which makes one think of the intricacies of human relationships. The pilgrimage of the hero from the brutal Amazon to ‘civilized’ society which he finds to be anything but civilized in spite of the gorgeous trappings of the upper aristocracy. Highly recommended!”   “Brilliant film; one of the year’s best!”   

$5 suggested donation

..a photo presentation and discussion with Ann Tiffany and Jessica Maxwell

Jessica Maxwell and Ann Tiffany (both members of the Syracuse Peace Council) returned in early August from a delegation to Palestine and Israel. Spending most of their time in Jerusalem and the Hebron area of the West Bank, they met with Israeli and Palestinian organizations nonviolently working for a just peace. They also accompanied Palestinian children in the South Hebron Hills on a peace march and learned about the daily resistance to injustice. Jessica and Ann will share stories from their journey.

Join them at the Artrage Gallery @ 505 Hawley Ave. Refreshments provided.

For more information contact Jessica at jessica@peacecouncil.net or 472-5478.