This past Friday, September 29 Pedro Pérez opened his first art exhibit since the Artforum in 1988. Working privately for the last three decades, he has refused to exhibit his work until now.
Set against the backdrop of Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, NY, Max hosted an immersive screening of Matthew Cherry’s new animated series Young Love this past Wednesday. The Chicago-based show follows an African American couple voiced by Issa Rae and Kid Cudi as Stephen & Angela, along with their daughter Zuri, played by Brooke Monroe Conaway. The animated series was greenlit by Max in 2020 and launched 9/21 for streaming on Max.
The new series for Max is created by Cherry, who will showrun with long-time animation creative Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite). The series will be executive produced by Blue Key Entertainment’s Monica A. Young (producer of Hair Love) along with Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed.
For the family-friendly event Max hosted immersive activations in partnership with Scene In Black & The Lay Out based on the 12-part TV show including:
- Angela’s Salon: Hair Braiding presented by Yeluchi by Un-Ruly
- Stephen’s Studio: Beats Making presented by BeatClub & Serato
- Zuri’s Reading Corner: Kids Activities presented by Penguin Random House
- Photo Moment: Family House
DJ BMAJR kept the mood alive and upbeat as the official DJ of the evening playing throwbacks and new singles for their set.
The event kicked off promptly at 6 PM, drawing a crowd of eager parents and their little ones, all grabbing snacks and preparing for the evening’s screening. However, the show didn’t start until after sunset, around 7 PM, heightening the anticipation among the attendees. While some episodes had already been released on Max the week before, the opportunity to gather and celebrate a Black TV show in the heart of Brooklyn felt like a powerful statement.
Notably, the local partners that Max collaborated with were predominantly Black vendors or organizations, further emphasizing the event’s intentional commitment to diversity. This choice was in line with the show’s creator and showrunner, Matthew Cherry, who is a Black filmmaker and first-time father. It was an inspiring moment, given the historical significance of Black hair and how it has defined the Black community, to see a light, family-friendly show portraying everyday struggles such as dealing with family expectations, life after a setback, and parenthood, especially to a bright young Black girl. These are challenges that the young couple must contend with, and the TV show skillfully highlights their journey.
Amidst these pressures, the TV show shines a light on the joy and love that the family members have for each other and those around them. Angela’s return to her life after her cancer remission includes relearning her trade as a hairstylist, with mistakes made but ultimately giving herself grace. Stephen grapples with embracing his musical talent and recognizing that his work may not appeal to everyone, understanding that artistic taste is subjective. Meanwhile, Zuri, as cute as ever, urges her parents to participate in a school project, not just to fulfill an assignment, but to showcase how cool and supportive her parents are. Angela and Stephen manage to arrive just in the nick of time, making Zuri proud and treating the kids to some great music for dancing.
Photograph Courtesy of Max
Max screened the first two episodes interactively, engaging the audience with trivia questions related to influential Black movies and TV shows embedded in popular culture. As the evening came to a close, Matthew Cherry, along with other key members of the show, took the stage to express their gratitude to the guests for joining in the celebration of the continuation of their storytelling journey, from Hair Love to Young Love. The Brooklyn audience gave Cherry a well-deserved round of applause, echoing their appreciation for the screening.
Between 1945–46, the pioneering experimental filmmaker Marie Menken (1909–1970) made her first solo film: a four-minute, black-and-white work entitled Visual Variations on Noguchi.
LISTERINE and Compound have collaborated to introduce The Whoa Collection, a collaborative effort designed to spark conversations about the diversity gap in dentistry, specifically within the Black community.
The sweetest collaboration of darling accessories and lush silhouettes makes its way to LES!
The fashion brand out of South Carolina put on a vibrant, avant-garde display for New York Fashion Week.
Delphine Diallo is a visual artist and photographer who’s captivated the industry with her deep exploration of women, race, and history through her lens. A major aspect of Diallo’s work is mythology. She often makes her subjects appear almost as powerful mythical beings in her photos. Each photograph tells a unique story, showcasing the strength, vulnerability, and grace of feminity.
Prior to the reveal of the works, a short film “Soulscapes: The Artistic Journey of Delphine Diallo,” was shown.”Soulscapes” sees Diallo in Paris, New York, and Miami encapsulated by moments of nature and movement. In a park in New York, she gives a demonstration of how Tai Chi helps her to balance her mind and body so that she may explore the soul of her creations. One clip sees her submerged by water at a beach symbolizing rebirth and clips of fire that symbolize death. As the film develops, Diallo brings viewers along her creative journey. She discusses how carefully stacking images and other components gives her collages the narrative richness they possess. The film was directed by Nicole Ianniello and produced by DK Johnston, with cinematography by Marissa Kaiser, additional footage by Marilyn Clark, and edited by Dorian Duvall.
Delphine Diallo, Mark Musselman
Seeing the actual work Diallo was able to create from this film was stunning. With a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the female form, Diallo photographs the simple movements of woman. Each frame is adorned in an intricate collage of images. The collages contain images of historical African art and photographs of the human body. The border additionally seems woven by braids, a staple of Black culture. Diallo’s work has often voiced the struggles and beauty of the Black diaspora. This exhibition served as a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and the celebration of Black beauty. It is through such exhibitions that honor and elevate narratives that have been historically marginalized. Diallo’s talent and dedication shine through every captured moment, making the photos a remarkable and inspiring experience that will leave a lasting impact on all who have the privilege to witness it.
The exhibition is on display at 685 Third Avenue through November 2023.
In the dimly lit theater, a lava lamp background casts an otherworldly glow as a bright spotlight illuminates a motorcycle center stage.
NEW YORK, NY – From September 22 to October 1, the multidisciplinary design studio and showroom café Hudson Wilder in DUMBO, Brooklyn, will act as a sanctuary not only for contemporary home goods, but also for the curated art and design exhibit “Playing House”.
Lamborghini unveils the new Revuelto Lamborghini in a night of Lambo-themed cocktails at Blu on the Hudson.