A month long exhibition including special events through the lens of Henry Chalfant
The event organised by Soul City Arts in conjunction with Birmingham Hippodrome presented a special exhibition at Birmingham's Bull Ring shopping mall. It was launched to the mark of the 10th anniversary of the B-sides Hip-Hop festival. Birmingham, is the only United Kingdom City to present this exhibition.
As part B-sides Hip-Hop festival, a special screening of "Style Wars", the legendary documentary of street art in New York in the 1970's and 1980's. The exhibition visualizes different aspects of street art a book was developed and available to buy with extracts from the exhibition.
As well as a screening, a live Q&A discussion occurred after the screening. The discussion was led by Muhammad Ali Areosol, the Director of Soul City Arts with guests in person including Henry Chalfant & Carlos Mare.
I had the opportunity to ask a question to the panelist.
My question was
"How concerned with the potential threat on artificial intelligence (A.I) and how it could take away your authentic talent from the past"
Carlos responded and admitted he does embrace A.I with some of these recent work and projects. Because of my question did brought the discussion to awhile different level when there were multiple disagreements and how artificial intelligence and inspiration can be used related to street art. There was an overall viewpoint that unless you are able to know how to use artificial intelligence it could be a potential disadvantage for street artists.
This event was the largest exhibition I have seen and it was the best experience related to street art. Previously you would have similar exhibition with a small fraction and it was nowhere near the amount that was developed this time round.
Special thanks to Pritt Kalsi for his support which enable me to attend. Also special thanks to Soul City, Birmingham Hippodrome and for the B-sides Hip-Hop Festival for this event
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Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community as an assistant.
I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022.
Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games
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