The Nahmias Cipher Report

These Algerian Desert Flowers were featured in a 1917 National Geographic story that documented the exotic beauty of North African people and their religious customs. Unlike the anthropological approach to other cultures, people and countries that primarily exists today, the captions that reference many of the photos in this series ‘Scenes of Orient’ are ethnocentric, paternalistic and colonialist at best, and downright racists at worst. Thankfully, the beauty of these captured moments surpass the limitations of the recorder.

My Dirty Little Heaven is an ambitious exhibit by Kenyan-born, New York based artist Wangechi Mutu. Chosen as the 2010 Artist of the Year, Mutu’s installation is the first show in the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin Museum selected on the recommendation of the Deutsche Bank Global Art Advisory Council.

Mutu’s portfolio of work explores the objectification of women in the entertainment and advertisement industries. In a recent interview, Mutu recounted how the impetus for creating My Dirty Little Heaven resulted from as a dearth of realistic portrayals of women in the media. This was particularly evidenced by the images that adorned the covers of magazines, movies, commercials, etc. in which rarely if ever could she find herself or any other women. Within the African-American spectrum the issue was even more skewed and pervasively misogynistic. Women are portrayed as prostitutes, mannequins or props to make male entertainers appear more virile, thus diminishing them both.

A plant bears from the fecundity of the soil in which it takes root. Our progenitors are the original farmers and we their crop. It was up to them to nurture and protect us, but broken people are want and often sow their bitterness into the trough.

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 23:57 PM EDT, 20 January 2010 When I first saw the video by Mary J. Blige titled, “Take Me As I Am,” I was recovering from a life long addiction to personal and work relationships in which I allowed myself and my talents to be undervalued and unappreciated. It is [...]

“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot… wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you’re just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky his is to have you…. The one who turns to his friends and says, ‘that’s her.’” ~ Anonymous

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.

A woman can loose her way in the wilderness of life; but if she will revisit her inner child and nurture her, she will in the end, reclaim her voice.

“13 Months of Sunshine” is particularly accessible because it is written in English with some Amharic dialogue. Non-Amharic speaking audiences will be able to achieve rare insight into Ethiopian culture, while enjoying a well-written story that will speak to all immigrants. It is a subtle commentary on the West and in particular, America.

Salvador Dalí’s paintings and art are some of the most recognizable of the Surrealist movement. In large part, he achieved this through a rare combination of creative genius and marketing savvy. Anyone who has read the biography of great artists, or watched movies about their lives, will undoubtedly note that these artists rarely achieved fame or monetary success during their lifetimes.