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Glendalys Medina Art Show at Casita Maria

By Howard Giske
n November 20th, Glendalys Medina opened her first onewoman show at Casita Maria, 928 Simpson St, in the Bronx, called "On the Flip Side (Side A)"that is inspired by elements of Hip Hop music and culture. Glendalys Medina uses as her symbol and inspiration, the shank. That's a pretty rough symbol, a homemade knife that people make in prison, but her idea is that the "gift of the shank" is to carve out her own identity and escape from set ideas. This show is part of the South Bronx Culture Trail's "The Birth of Hip Hop" exhibition, and is curated by Christine Licata, Casita Maria's Director of Performing and Visual Arts. Ms. Medina produces a series of haunting videos that are on display to be listened to one at a time with headphones. She studied a popular video, and then wrote a song that is a take off on the original one. Side by side, you then can compare the original with her related video. For example in one video, the Hip Hop performer Noz raps "One Life," a call to arms, sort of "stand up for your rights." Then next to it, Ms. Medina rhythmically recited "Caterpillar," in a video she filmed at the Bronx's Wave Hill

that is more introspective about herself and her transformation. She raps that "I dig, I plant a seed, I call for God, I call for the energy inside me." Ms. Medina explores all facets of Hip Hop culture, saying she wants to be "All City." In her drawing, Ms. Medina uses deconstructed forms from a boom box, with the complex shapes and mechanical gears making up letters of the alphabet, such as "A" and "O," with colors then added. In a short interview, Ms. Medina explained that there are 5 elements of Hip Hop: MC-ing, graffiti, break dance, DJing and, knowledge, and in addition, the well-known Hip Hop performer Afrika Bambata says "transformation," which is Medina's goal. Casita Maria has a large afterschool program for several of the schools in the area. The children came into the exhibition, had juice, crackers and cheese, looked around and got a sort of scavenger hunt quiz. They had to answer 10 questions about the Glendalys Medina exhibit. For example, what 3 elements of Hip Hop did Glendalys Medina reference in her exhibition? The answer is graffiti, break dance and MC-ing.

In the gallery, Medina demonstrates the wheat-pasting up of her personal tag- Black Gold, on the wall. She has wheat-pasted these posters in Manhattan and the Bronx. In a video she puts up a poster at E 90th St and Madison, with others at 167th street and Webster, 167th Street and Jerome, and also at Gun Hill Road and White Plains Road. These posters are easier to put up and take down than spray paint tags. The exhibition will have Medina do a performance on Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 1 to 4 PM of "Dear Me," in which Medina sings an original piece inspired by the Hip Hop artist Drake's song "Find Your Love." See more of Medina's work at her website, www.glendalysmedina.com Photos: 1. Medina putting up her poster tag. 2. Students looking at videos. 3. Students view pictures.

Bronx BP Diaz Hosted Annual Bronx Puerto Rican Heritage Event

Harlem News Group November 28, 2013

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n Thursday, November 22, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted the annual Bronx Puerto Rican Heritage event. The event was held at Monroe College's King Hall, and Bronx residents enjoyed an evening of msica tpica, dancing and delicious dishes of Puerto Rico. This year's honorees were Congressman Jose E. Serrano, and community activists William Guzman and Esthercita Figueroa.

Must know South Bronx area. Enjoy meeting people and helping businesses promote to the community. You set your own hours. Email Resume today. Bronx Community News at: harlemnewsinc@aol.com