The Nahmias Cipher Report

New African Soul in the vein of Cassandra Wilson, Miriam Mekada, Cesaria Evora, Sarah Vaughan and Sade. The rhythm of Africa from North to South and East to West. Viva Africa!

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 22:50 PM EDT, 27 December 2009 SAO PAULO, Brazil – Gabriel Wickbold is a young Brazilian Photographer whose images are intriguing and captivating. This post features his ‘Faces of Brasileiros’ series. Related articles Putumayo Celebrates Carnival in Rio with Brazilian Beat (wholefoodsmarket.com) Totalmente Brasileiro (cortez.wordpress.com) Carnaval Brasileiro Austin 2012 (worldculturesaustin.com) [...]

“This invisibility—this erasure out of the complex history of our life and time—is the greatest source of my longing. As you know, I’m a woman who yearns, who longs for. This is the key to me and to the work, and something which is rarely discussed in reviews or essays, which I also find remarkably disappointing. That there are so few images of African-American women circulating in popular culture or in fine art is disturbing; the pathology behind it is dangerous. I mean, we got a sistah in the White House, and yet mediated culture excludes us, denies us, erases us. But in the face of refusal, I insist on making work that includes us as part of the greater whole. Black experience is not really the main point; rather, complex, dimensional, human experience and social inclusion—even in the shit, muck, and mire—is the real point.” — Carrie Mae Weems

The more burdened we become by the cares of the world, the easier it is for us to forget the dreams of our youth. I like this song because it is an anthem, a reminder to me and I hope to others to never forget our dreams that can yet be realized and definitely achieved if we believe.

Lady Gaga is an interesting phenomena whose theatrical and satirical music videos offer an insightful commentary on and parody of America’s wanton sexuality, consumerism and self-absorbed showmanship. Even the ambiguity of her sex and sexuality contribute to effectiveness of her appeal as an extraordinarily marketable performance artist. As a consequence of several comments from readers, it should be noted that this critique of Lady Gaga is limited to the video “Paparazzi,” as I am unfamiliar with the rest of her work.

Warm wishes for happiness, love and peace on Hanukkah and always.

The expression of love between a man and a woman is one of the greatest acts of creation that we command. It is a moment that is sacred, magical, and transformational.