'The image of mythical creatures glitters on my mind.'
- Jodi Picoult [my paraphrase]
Rory -Bon Vivant
(a person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle)
Our eldest - Rory - is the quintessential Bon Vivant. So, it made perfect sense when - Clout Godz - a popular local Hip-Hop duo asked him to host their next concert and invite a few hundred of his friends. Rory invited Mr. G and me too. Oui, you know I brought my cameras. I knew what I would find: street-couture fashion, a young, vibrant suburban/urban Boujee vibe, and fantastic music. I knew the night, the people and the images I'd capture, would be my next Postcard to Paris...
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"Savour the world in which you live and bring out your bon vivant right now!" Say
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The venue was simple, raw: a pseudo warehouse - a huge room with gray concrete floors, exposed brick walls (topped with a two-storied ceiling), a sloped 'stage' at one end (demarked by a black steel railing), no lights, and several huge speakers. Adjacent to the stage, D.J. Slugo, slinging hard pounding Hip-Hop favs to the crowd. The energy was...electric.
At first the cavernous, completely dark room daunted me. My photographic style is NO artificial flash/ONLY natural light [capturing the subtleties of soft and sharp shape(s) and form(s)]. That was so NOT happening in this moment - Mon Dieu! Still, I was so caught up/inspired by in the moment, music and energy - I turned on my flash, made the necessary technical adjustments, focused (literally and figuratively), followed my instincts and pushed the shutter. I soon discovered a most unexpected light source - the crowd's cell phone camera/vid lights. And soon realized that, though artificial, it provided its own sort of 'natural' light. And it was pretty fantastic. Then the opening acts took to the stage...
Wavy
MBK Twins
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Temple Tip: Be bold and fearless to get your shot.
The huge dancing crowd's energy was so amazing, I had to get into the thick of it. I grabbed a chair and asked a security guard to help me, as I dragged that chair to the center of the dance floor. I climbed up, the guard stood in protective front of me. He held the swirling, pulsing, dancing crowd back. Mr. G held my legs, as I shot the moment to my heart's content. Exhilarating!
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Clout Godz takes the stage and the crowd goes WILD!
"I looked up at heaven and her court of mythical creatures
fixed forever in the all powerful and inscrutable stars."
- Anne Rice
Everyone was dancing and jumping, holding their iPhones and Androids over their heads to light and film their experience (to later share on social media). The girls screamed, the boys swayed and they all chanted and sang along. I'm telling you, it was like being at a Beatles concert but with a definite 21st century aesthetic: each of these bands compose, write and sell their own songs (and merchandise); they produce and film their own music videos (which are mini-YouTube sensations); organize and book their own concerts, and they have a loving, joyfully fierce fan base. This 21st century, not-so-local, Hip-Hop movement has its own patois, fashion, dance moves, and lore - and it's living and thriving in small(ish) communities all over the world - connected by the music and culture, that each artist and fan is able to disseminate globally - and not one of them is 21 years old.
While the lead act's name - Clout Godz - partially inspired this postcard's title, that's only one small part of this story. The energy flowing back and forth - between the artists and the crowd - was truly awe inspiring. Each fed, and fed off of, each other. And it was positive, free and joyful. It was magic, that swirled around, buffeted, captured me. Figuratively and literally rocked the chair I was standing on. As I developed and edited my photos, it was clear to see: these kids (artists and crowd) were creating, acting out and filming (for later dissemination) their own myths, legends and lore. Apart, distinct and safe from an adult world that often chooses not to see or understand (much to our disadvantage). I love that Rory is a part of this. I'm so happy and honored that he, all of them, allowed me and Mr. G in to experience it, be a part, have a taste. My final take away: they are glittering, mythical, magical creatures holding court among the powerful and inscrutable stars - and I can't wait to return.
Vivre! Rire! Aimer!
Temple
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