DELA Premieres In GHANA
DELA: The Making of El Anatsui Premieres at Black Star International Film Festival in Ghana to rave reviews.
DELA: The Making of El Anatsui Premieres at Black Star International Film Festival in Ghana to rave reviews.
Prof. El Anatsui holds his Achievement Award - a gold bar with a black star /Photo by Africa-Related
The evening of September 22 marked the first screening of the biographical documentary at the World Trade Center in Accra, Ghana. The film’s subject, Professor El Anatsui was ushered into the decorated venue by The Anyako Cultural Troupe, while piano genius Funsho Ogundipe of AYETORO performed alongside Trombonist Elikplim Amewode after the screening. There was a brief Q & A with film Director Oyiza Adaba, followed by a citation presentation, done by Dr. Odoi Oddoye. The film was well received by the audience made up of dignitaries that included diplomats, family, friends, artists and colleagues.
Acceptance Speech
Professor El Anatsui opened his acceptance speech with the challenges faced with continuous camera exposure in over 10 years of filming. He also advised the organisers on the use of the term "lifetime achievement," emphasizing it should be ongoing for living individuals.
He reflected on the global perspective of art and suggested that there are still aspects of art that have not been addressed. He also referenced the "art is life" slogan by KNUST, highlighting the complexity of life and its integration into art.
Cultural Influences and Artistic Journey
The Emeritus Professor recounted his early career beginning post-school, influenced by Western teachings with little emphasis on local culture. He noted how the discovery of Adinkra signs excited him as a young man growing up in the rural Volta region.
He also compared the Renaissance period in Europe with the abstract Adinkra signs, emphasizing their cultural significance and citing his influence by abstract art originating from the cultural center in Kumasi. He touched briefly on the challenges and contributions in Art, noting the ease of following but the difficulty of extraction.
For a moment the globally celebrated sculptor reflected on the balance between family and societal influences on his artistic journey, and dedicated the award to society, highlighting its significant role in his development.
He ended by thanking the Black Star International Film Festival organizers for their honor and acknowledged the societal contributions to his growth.
Citation
Black Star International's Tribute honors Professor Anatsui for his transformative works that have changed global perceptions of African art.The citation highlights Professor Anatsui's innovative use of local organic materials and education in his art. We emphasize Professor Natri's contributions to African art on the world stage, showcasing African artistry globally. The tribute acknowledges Professor Anatsui's extraordinary contributions to art and culture in Africa and beyond.
About Black Star International Film Festival
BSIFF IS A CULTURAL ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO NURTURING, EDUCATING AND INSPIRING LOVE FOR THE BUSINESS OF FILM IN AFRICA.
BSIFF provides a platform that inspires love for film and cinema; supporting independent African filmmakers to reach distribution opportunities, the right network, worldwide audience, film education, acquire relevant skills and that push their creative boundaries beyond limit.
PHOTOS FROM DELA SCREENING
Full Video: "DELA" North American Premiere
Video Highlights of the biographical documentary that carefully captures the life of legendary artist El Anatsui, tracing the artistic endeavors that led to his rise in popularity in the global art world. It made an inspiring debut on Mother's Day, May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre in New York.
"DELA: The Making of El Anatsui", is an “in-depth” biographical documentary directed by Oyiza Adaba. It made its North American premiere at the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF31) on May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre. “DELA” is currently showing at global film festival before going into distribution. Follow the film’s progress here
DELA Director Oyiza Adaba, in front of Lincoln Center, New York. Photo: Galina Ivankovich/Africa-Related
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DELA: Makes North American Debut At 31st New York African Festival
The biographical documentary that carefully captures the life of legendary artist El Anatsui, tracing the artistic endeavors that led to his rise in popularity in the global art world, made an inspiring debut on Mother's Day, May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre in New York.
Moderator Ben Dotsei Malor and DELA Director Oyiza Adaba during the Q&A
Ihunmehai Isaac, New York
Photos: John Oko Nyaku, Africa Photo Communication
It was an eventful and beautiful Mother's Day on May 12th, 2024 at the prestigious Lincoln Centre, with guests trooping in with tickets in hand, to see the “in-depth” biographical documentary directed by Oyiza Adaba - "DELA: The Making of El Anatsui".
The story carefully and deliberately captures the life of legendary artist El Anatsui, tracing the artistic endeavors that led to his rise in popularity in the global art world.
“The film gave more essence to what we normally know of El...”
The screening witnessed an attentive audience engaging in the film, through moments of emotional connections that brought laughter, tears, and silence to the Frances Beale Theater at the prestigious Lincoln Center.
The screening was followed by a resounding applause and a Q&A session, moderated by Ben Dotsei Malor, former BBC Africa anchor and Chief Editor of United Nations News for Dailies.
Malor praised Oyiza Adaba's vision and called for the film to be shown in academic institutions across the world. He welcomed questions from the audience that expanded on the film's 10-year journey, the use of language, art appreciation and much more.
The first-time director explained her motivation to build on the work of previous documentations of the subject, to tell a more personal story. She expressed gratitude to the artist for his generous support, as well as the sponsors and crew who made it possible.
DELA Director Oyiza Adaba with El Anatsui’s Family members and Ben Malor (UN)
Notable guests present include the Anatsui and Ametewee Families, Tamsen Greene of Jack Shainman Gallery NY, the film's director of photography Jason Hill, Jazz musician Randy Muller, percussionist Ricky “Dirty Red” Gordon, Tyrone Birkett of New Freedom Sounds, and Words By MOE who contributed to the films soundtrack.
“As an African-American New Yorker with limited travel to Africa, it was wonderful to see the artist’s setting, in his culture...”
DELA Crew: Director Oyiza Adaba with Ghana Director of Photography Jason Hill
Guests were treated to a reception where they got to interact further with members of the production team.
Mahen Bonetti, the Executive Director and brainchild behind the New York African Film Festival, described DELA as “a masterpiece story that needed telling”. The long-running festival, which showcased over 50 films from 24 countries ends at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on June 1, 2024.
“DELA” is currently showing at global film festival before going into distribution. Follow the film’s progress here
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Photo Highlights DELA: North American Premiere at NYAFF31
Photo Highlights
DELA: North American Premiere at NYAFF31
photos by John Oko Nyaku (Africa Photo Communications)
Photo Highlights
DELA: North American Premiere at NYAFF31
May 12, 2024
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PHOTOS: The Global African Women’s Day 2024
A special Pan-African gala took place at historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem on March 16, 2024 during the annual two-week UN women’s conference, Commission on the Status of Women. The purpose of the gala and award ceremony was to celebrate Global African Women’s Day with African women and women of African descent from around the world, spanning; Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
A special Pan-African gala took place at historic Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem on March 16, 2024 during the annual two-week UN women’s conference, Commission on the Status of Women. The purpose of the gala and award ceremony was to celebrate Global African Women’s Day with African women and women of African descent from around the world, spanning; Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Caribbean.
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EL ANATSUI at TATE MODERN Until April 15
If you are in or close to London, love art and yet to see El Anatsui’s “Behind The Red Moon”, showing at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall; the exhibition ends on April 15, 2024
By Oyiza Adaba, London
If you are in or close to London, love art and yet to see El Anatsui’s “Behind The Red Moon”, showing at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall; the exhibition ends on April 15, 2024
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Africa-Related is a media content production house