The Prevalence of Ritual

By Ronald Young

July 9 — Sept. 4, 2021
Opening Reception July 9, 2021 5-8pm
Artist Talk August 14 10-12noon
The Kranzberg*

The Kranzberg Gallery hours are Thursdays to Sundays from 2-6pm. For questions or concerns, please contact [email protected]

My current studio practice involves recycling found objects from my immediate environment. Decayed decorative architectural features, old broken tools, rusty metals, and an abundance of St. Louis bricks are among the items I collect and repurpose into fragmented mixed media assemblages. The works are a blend of artistic practices from the West African people of the Congo/ Benin/Togo and Nigeria. I seek to incorporate into my assemblages the diasporic traditions of masks, sculpture, ancestry figures, and Nkisi n Kondi.

My assemblages are about the intersection of ideas and materials, visually represented through the juxtaposition of objects to invoke meaning which is both lyrical and visceral. The works are intentionally ambiguous and, just like the society they come from, full of contradictions. Embedded into the narrative of my assemblages are concepts of recontextualizing materials to make connections between the past and the present, America and Africa, the physical world, and the spiritual world.

The Prevalence of Ritual is a multi-disciplinary exhibition that explores the concept of The Power Object, the spiritual belief that all objects in nature have a soul. There are multiple levels of meaning to be derived from my harvesting of objects with strong autobiographical connotations, especially household items and tools. Such objects are “experienced” rather than “used” and are thus considered more spiritually potent. These Power Objects embody the collective consciousness of generations of African Americans rooted in the aesthetic traditions of Sankofa, the African concept of understanding one’s past in order to go forward.

St Lou Fringe is a performing arts festival that bolsters cultural identity in St Louis by providing a support structure to connect independent performing arts with accessible, affordable showcase settings for audiences. Fringe showcases theatre and dance, storytelling and spoken word, burlesque and acrobatics, visual art and more in a unique pressure-cooker of artistic expression. St Lou Fringe has been named “Best Theatre Festival” and “Best Theatre Surprise” by the Riverfront Times, one of “Nine Intriguing US Fringe Festivals” by CNN, and one of “Fifty Essential Summer Festivals” by the New York Times.

Sophie’s Soft Launch Week
Sophie’s Artist Lounge
3333 Washington Avenue

Hours of Operation: Wednesday – Saturday 5 pm – 1:30 am
Happy Hour: 5 pm-7 pm Wednesday-Friday
10 pm – 1 am Wednesdays & Thursdays

Friends and family opening reception of our first exhibit at Sophie’s- 6pm-9pm

Regular programming at Sophie’s 9pm-1am featuring DJ Alexis and Umami Beats

SEPTEMBER 3

CAPS, CANS, & CULTURE- the official Paint Louis After Party at Sophies and The Big Top. 7pm-11pm.  Featuring International and Local Paint Louis Artists, music by Turntable Orkestra & friends, food, drinks and more.

Regular programming at Sophie’s 9pm-1am featuring The Ladies of Soulition – DJ Makeda Kravitz and DJ Nico Marie

CAPS, CANS, & CULTURE- the official Paint Louis After Party at Sophies and The Big Top. 7pm-11pm.  Featuring International and Local Paint Louis Artists, Dance Battles, music by Turntable Orkestra & friends, food , drinks, and more

Regular programming at Sophie’s 9pm-1am featuring DJ BIKO

Sophie’s Inaugural Exhibit Artists

• BRKLYN / @brklynstl
• Art Culture King / @artcultureking (Painted Black STL)
• Screwed Arts Collective: Killer Napkins / @killernapkins and Bryan Walsh @bryanwalshart @screwedarts
• Screwed Arts Collective: 18andCounting / @18andcounting, Kris Mosby / @mos_krisby, Kiki Salem / @low_key_ki
• Jessie Donovan / @jessie.dnvn (Painted Black STL)
• Cbabi Bayoc / @cbabi
• Damon Davis / @damondavis
• William Burton Jr. / @williamburtonjrofficial (Paint Louis)
• Dormir Da Sleepin Giant / @rimroddy30 (Paint Louis)
• Katherine Bernhardt / @kbbernhardt2014
• Deshion McKinley / @wtfiswrongwithdaworld
• Vaughn Davis / @vaughndavis__

We are thrilled to announce the inaugural exhibit at Sophie’s Gallery, amplifying regional STL artists who continue to lift and redefine visual art in expensive ways. On the contrary, FLY O’ER is a group exhibition of individuals and collectives ultimately shifting and challenging the thought that STL is just another “fly over ” city. This place is home to some of the most pivotal contemporary artists in the world and the Kranzberg Arts Foundation will continue to  provide essential infrastructure for the arts to thrive in the region.

The official Paint Louis After Party at Sophies and The Big Top. September 3 & 4. 7pm-11pm.  Featuring International and Local Paint Louis Artists, music by Turntable Orkestra & friends, food, drinks and more.

LOST LIBRARY BY STAN STREMBICKI 
High Low 
September 3 — October 16, 2021

Two days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans on August 29, 2005, three Army Corp of Engineer levees failed. The largest human-made disaster in the U.S. was in motion: 750 million people were under a mandatory evacuation order, and the National Guard patrolled the darkened, flooded streets of the city.

I arrived in the city 30 days later to document the catastrophe. I sped past roadblocks on the interstate with a magnetic sign on my truck that said, “Disaster Assessment Relief Team.” Once there, I was stunned by empty streets, cops with machine guns, and the smell of rot, mold, and death. I didn’t have it in me to respond as a photojournalist. The spectacle the news made of ruined properties and homeowners’ reactions was too much—peddling tragedy for ratings was repulsive to my way of thinking.

To respond appropriately, I needed moral guidelines: No photos of victims in the ruins of their homes; I would not photograph private spaces. Public spaces were ok, and I would not remove anything from where I found it. Any photography would happen on-site, not later in the studio. What I needed was a metaphor that would stand-in for all that was lost.

I found it near a library in the lower 9th ward where the flood had scattered books all over a nearby field. Libraries stand for everything we know and have accumulated, and here it all was, decaying due to tragedy. I photographed these books as they rotted back into the landscape. Over time the earth began to take them back, and the project ended after five years when the field was bulldozed. These images are about these vessels’ fragile nature containing our combined culture—the books we find in a library.

You are invited to celebrate the release of “Saint Unity”, a monumental, collaborative work by jazz pianist/songwriter Ryan Marquez featuring 20 of STL’s finest musicians. Anchored by the rhythm section of Tim Moore (Drums) and Jordan Brewer (Bass), The night will feature an intimate live performance of Ryan’s originals/arrangements featuring vocalists Anita Jackson and Lola Kristine.

Saint Unity Description:
The new jazz/pop release “Saint Unity” from Ryan Marquez incorporates the spirit and larger narrative of the current artistic renaissance and cultural climate present in St. Louis. Produced by the legendary Carl Nappa and Lenny Mink for Lotown Records, the album features 20 vocalists and musicians powering Ryan’s originals and jazz interpretations of hits from the world of rock – including songs from Smashing Pumpkins, 311, The Beatles, and more. Mr. Marquez sits squarely in the center of the upswing of creative energy in St. Louis, and brings together an all-star team of musicians in the name of “Saint Unity”. The album will be available digitally on 9/3/21

The album features: Anita Jackson, Erin Bode, Lola Kristine, Janet Evra, Chrissy Renick, Paige Alyssa, Dawn Weber, Lamar Harris, Ben Reece, Matt McKeever, Kendrick Smith, Carlos Scooter Brown Jr., Matt Rowland, Drew Mantia, Will Buchannon, Adam Hansbrough, Duane “Jingo” Williams with Tim Moore and Theo Harden.

BIOS
Missourian Ryan Marquez is a keyboardist, producer, songwriter, arranger, and vocalist baptized in blues, indoctrinated by jazz and raised in hip-hop culture. “Passionate in everything he does” (WSIE 88.7, “The Sound”), he “truly embodies the creative collaboration…essential to moving St. Louis forward full steam ahead.” (Regional Arts Commission of STL) His music represents a diverse ecosystem of “feel good vibes” that he channels by infusing his fluent Jazz piano skills, a Pop songwriting style influenced by Stevie Wonder & Gil Scott Heron, with extracted flavors from Progressive R & B & Conscious Hip-Hop.

His recording and performance credits include Grammy recognized artists such as Terence Blanchard, Kirk Whalum, Fred Wesley, Chance The Rapper, Ernie Isley & more. Ryan’s production credits include work with Grammy recognized producer/engineer(s) Carl Nappa & Tony Black. (The Hit Factory) His original music has been featured on The CW, ESPN & FOX networks.

Ryan’s jazz trio, projects Fresh Heir (Pop/Soul), The Belief Cycle (Pop/Dance) & The People’s Key (Jazz/Funk) have been staples in the Midwest for nearly 2 decades with an extensive show list, discography & accolades respectively. No matter the outfit, Mr. Marquez sits squarely in the center of the upswing of creative energy in St. Louis. His new album “Saint Unity” brings together an all-star cast of STL jazz musicians.

Anita Jackson’s voice has recorded and performed in support for such artists as Bette Midler, Patti Austin, Mariah Carey, Erykah Badu and is heard on Cissy Houston’s Grammy winning gospel albums “Face to Face” & ”He Leadeth Me”. A featured actress with the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, Anita’s storytelling virtues shine through her soul captivating performances.  Ryan and Anita have performed and recorded regularly since 2018.

Known as “the little girl with the big voice,” vocalist, pianist, songwriter, Lola Kristine staggers audiences with the depth of soul she possesses in both her timeless songwriting and penetrating voice. A Top Ten Finalist in the 2015 Wildflower! Songwriting Competition, her vocal session work can be heard in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow series. Lola performs nationally and records regularly with Ryan.

Music at the Intersection, September 10-12, 2021, will celebrate St. Louis’s rich and diverse musical heritage. From Jazz to Blues, Soul to Hip Hop, and everything in between.  Featuring such musical greats as Lalah Hathaway, Gregory Porter, Roy Ayers, and many more. This festival will highlight over 60 acts on six world-renowned stages over three days throughout Grand Center’s Arts District. Mask up and get down!  For more information visit MusicAtTheIntersection.org.

Friday (6pm – 1am)

• Roy Ayers
• Lee Fields & The Expressions
• Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen
• Ikebe Shakedown
• Mike Zito
• Tonina
• The Mighty Pines
• Brothers Lazaroff
• Naked Rock Fight
• Beth Bombara
• Dave Grelle’s Playadors
• Brother Francis & The Soultones
• Ben Wheeler
• Heartcave
• DJ Tom “Papa” Ray

Saturday (12pm – 1am)

• Gregory Porter
• Keyon Harrold
• The Soul Rebels + GZA
• DāM-FunK
• The Baylor Project
• Bettye LaVette
• illPHONiCS
• Blvck Spvde
• Midwest Avengers
• Kenny DeShields
• Sample Kulture
• Mark Harris II
• Scooter Brown
• Kaleb Kirby
• Brady Lewis
• Katarra
• Be.Be & the Neosouls
• 18andCounting & TheOnlyEnsemble
• Brock Seals
• Janet Evra
• Ryan Marquez
• Parisian
• DJ G.Wiz
• James Biko

Sunday (12pm – 11pm)

• Lalah Hathaway
• Booker T. Jones
• Don Bryant featuring The Bo-Keys
• Nikki Hill
• Marquise Knox
• Funky Butt Brass Band
• Huntertones
• Denise Thimes
• Selwyn Birchwood
• Anita Jackson
• John Henry
• One Way Traffic
• Clark Terry Centennial Project
• Cara Louise Band
• Hillary Fitz Band
• Jr. Clooney
• The Scandaleros
• Roland Johnson
• Western States
• We Are Root Mod
• LoopRat
• Syna So Pro
• DJ Nune is Lamar Harris

with special guest Janet Evra
How can we possibly describe Yusa? You might be better off taking a couple hours and Googling “Yusa, Cuba” to see how enormous of an influence this musician is.  In Cuba she is considered one of the most studious musicians on the island.  (Cuba in many ways is really where music is the most free and hip in the world.)  She was raised in the Buena Vista district (yes, that Buena Vista) and studied in the Cuban education system on the musician track. Yes, in Cuba you can study to be a musician from grade school. She was always ahead of her peers and having come from a music family she simply soared.

About twenty years ago she became involved in a collaboration with Roberto Carcasses that involved many musicians. The project became known as “Interactivo” and is one of the most exciting musical collaborations in the world today. Great musicians have referred to Carcasses as the Duke Ellington of our time. Carcasses considers Yusa to be the most studious member of the group and the most mature; the backbone of the band. She is bilingual and a multi-instrumentalist. As one great musician put it, “she plays bass like Jaco and sings like Joan Armatrading”. She is quite simply a superhero musician. A great amongst the greats. A person who plays music like it was always supposed to be played. Cuban music is at the top of the list when it comes to innovation, fusion and originality and Yusa is considered one of the best in Cuba. A senior member. A person who commands respect wherever she goes. That is Yusa!

She is also extremely nice and giving. She does workshops wherever she tours to help young people embrace music. She has played all over the world and in front of thousands of fans at a time. Like all musicians, Covid set her back. She was playing regularly in Argentina with a trio and absolutely blowing the doors off the place every night she played. When Covid hit she shut it down and eventually moved to New Orleans where she has been figuring out how to tour in America. She has a mini-tour set for Chicago, Madison, WI and two nights in STL.   A musician this great playing at The Kranzberg is a rare opportunity.  You won’t see a better musician at small venue, ever.

She will bring two great New Orleans based musicians with her. Grayson Brockamp (Bass) and Fernando Lima (Drummer) Grayson will hold down the bass so that Yusa can sing and play guitar and tres but there may be some switching up in the night. Who knows?! When musicians are this great we don’t tell them what to do.