Carol Jackson – Iris Kensmil

from Carol to Jonas:

Jonas-

Why 70’s?  The music I included in the 1st group of singles posted is
from the late 40’s through the 80’s.  Nothing more recent than that was
included because of possible copyright issues and those wouldn’t nec.
be legal, but more about being rude to friends in the music ‘scene’
here.

Nothing earlier because subsequent posts are scheduled to include those
eras.

Thanks for the Cautionary Tale via Hollywood.  But the safety of
nostalgia is found only in its epicenter.  I enjoy roving the borders
of history’s fictitious havens where the potential force is stronger
than a barricaded mob.

Nostalgia is, after all the whore of a failing empire.  Ask Louis
Farrakhan.

–

Iris:

sources, the covers

Dear Carol, Dear Iris

extract from the mail-exchange of Carol Jackson and Iris Kensmil

Dear Carol,

Nice to hear from you.  How are you doing??
Sorry for me being silent after your last mail. Several things happened here that left me no
spare time.. a.o.. My father past away a month ago.
I’m   working on a installation with portraits of soul singers. My plan is to show this in
Co-Prosperity.I saw some of your work which is about music as well.I thought that our cooperation
could be that we create together a space with imaginary about music, or theater, cabaret,
literature etc etc, Everything to manifest a certain vivid culture can come together.
But each of use uses her own language and medium.
All the best
Iris

Hey Iris-
Yes!  you are welcome to stay here...we have 3 cats(!) so I hope you aren't allergic. 
They keep to them selves. I’m planning to show the "I'm still awake" sheet music
series I made after initially viewing your work.  I can display it in a number of
ways...ideally I'd get an old upright piano in there and set them on that as if ready
to play.  Short of that, maybe a booklet, simply on the wall, or silk-screened
copies for takeaway. 
Carol.

Hi Carol,
Your idea with the piano sounds exiting.
Iris

Hi Carol,
As I’m not so strong in English, I read your remark about being away from events and trends and ideologies in the world as positive. My work is not “social” in that sense either.
Only later I realized that with “drifted away” you give that development a negative meaning. We should talk about that, I think. For me is important in your work that your colors are strong and strange in a way that has association with “exotic” ( I know this word is impossible to use any more in the arts); and how you combine different materials in a composition that is nevertheless a statement about painting. In many works of you the size and composition adapt itself to the materials, what makes it lively.
I think that it is not so important whether the theme is directly “social” or not, it has to be inspired by something important enough, that it. I understand that performing feels “iffy” I never did it. But it would be great is you can do it. (and please forget about my bad idea about music on the opening). I hope to hear more of your (provisional) plans soon.
Iris

Hello Iris-
It's refreshing to see such strong political work. Fearless even in concept and
execution!  It's hard to find in the States these days. Much art here has been
divorced from representation and metaphor entirely.Your work made me aware of
how the political content had been getting less and less present.Still there,
but obfuscated.  But then I suspected it was the use of signage, a craft
aesthetic and the use of nostalgia to re-inform the present. So I have
begun a series of sheet music covers I've been only  considering doing entitled
'I'm still Awake".In your Installation Then They Marched (2008), The True
Meaning (2008) and Their Spirits (2008  with Mr.President off to the side, Obama
looks so lonely (spatially) compared to the group in the main area.  I like that.
It seems to refer to the often forgotten 'to be contd' aspect, despite the
victory, of black emancipation.
Carol Jackson

–

Carol Jackson:

Some Chicago  Music

The following musical artists were either born or based in Chicago. Some of the recordings are ripped from old vinyl, thus the crackles and pops.  Enjoy.

The Impressions  We’re a Winner (Curtis Mayfield)

Anita O’Day  Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Herbie Hancock Water Torture (7″ single edit)

Donny Hathaway The Ghetto (part 2)

Louis X (Farrakhan)  White Man’s Heaven, Black Man’s Hell.  When he was a calypso singer.

Steve Miller Band  Baby’s House

Shadows of Knight I’m Gonna Make You Mine

Impressions  Isle of the Sirens

Minnie Ripperton  Le Fleur

The Dells   Whiter Shade of Pale

The Staple Singers  Low is the Way

The Artistics  Lucky Old Sun

Jackie Wilson  Night (pop version of aria from Sampson and Delilah by Saint Saens)

James Scales  Scagging the Scales (7″ on Verro, early Sun Ra alto player)

Billy Stewart  Sitting in the Park

Eddie Harris  The Thing You Do

Fontella Bass   This Would Make Me Happy (produced by Ike Turner)

Don Jenkins & the Delighters  Elephant Walk

l

Howlin’ Wolf   Who’s Been Talking

Lacy Gibson  Wishing Ring (on Sun Ra’s Saturn Records)

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