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There will be an online film screening and discussion afterwards of A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks, (99 minutes) which chronicles the many ways renowned photographer Gordon Parks (1912-2006) documented his narrative as a Black American in the 20th century and beyond. A Choice of Weapons explores the power of images in advancing racial, economic, and social equality as seen through the lens of Parks, one of the most trailblazing artists, and the generation of young photographers, filmmakers, and activists he inspired. This program will be conducted online through Zoom. Please register below.
The online discussion after the film will be led by Richard Klein, Exhibitions Director, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, (bio below) and will also include panelist Monica Berra, film producer for A Choice of Weapons (bio below), and panelist Kelly Marshall, photographer (bio below).
To view the trailer for this film, click here.
Viewing/Participation Options
Participants may view the film "together" at 2:00 pm right before the panel discussion which starts at 3:45 pm by clicking on the Zoom webinar link. Participants may also watch the film ahead of time by clicking on the Vimeo link and filling in the password which will be provided in the Zoom webinar link by January 30. If you have seen the film beforehand you can join the discussion at 3:45 by clicking on the webinar link. The relevant links will be sent to you once you register for the program.
Co-sponsors
This ARTalks series is co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Library, Ridgefield Guild of Artists and, in part, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, and also in partnership with the Kunhardt Film Foundation.
Richard Klein Biography
Richard Klein is a curator, artist, and writer. Since 1999 he has been exhibitions director of The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT. In his two decade long career as a curator of contemporary art he has organized over 90 exhibitions, including solo shows of the work of Janine Antoni, Sol LeWitt, Mark Dion, Michael Joo, Hank Willis Thomas, Brad Kahlhamer, Roy McMakin, Kay Rosen, Jack Whitten, Jessica Stockholder, Tom Sachs, and Elana Herzog. Major curatorial projects at The Aldrich have included Fred Wilson: Black Like Me (2006), No Reservations: Native American History and Culture in Contemporary Art (2006), Elizabeth Peyton: Portrait of an Artist (2008), Shimon Attie: MetroPAL.IS. (2011), Michael Joo: Drift (2014), Kay Rosen: H Is for House (2017), and Weather Report (2019).
As an artist, he has exhibited widely, including the Neuberger Museum of Art at SUNY Purchase, Caren Golden Fine Art, New York, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI, Hales Gallery, London, Gavlak Gallery, Palm Beach, FL, Schoolhouse Gallery, Provincetown, MA, and the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Portland, OR. His essays on art and culture have appeared in Cabinet Magazine and have been included in books published by Hatje Cantz, Damiani, Picturebox, Ridinghouse, and the University of Chicago Press, among others.
Monica Berra Biography
Monica Berra is a New York City-based filmmaker whose short documentaries have been featured in the New York Times Op-Docs, Field of Vision, PBS, WORLD Channel, and The Atlantic. Most recently, she produced the feature documentary, A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks (Kunhardt Films/HBO) about the legacy of Gordon Parks, one of America's most trailblazing artists. Other recent credits include the series No Passport Required (VOX Media/PBS, 2020), the Emmy-nominated series Retro Tech (VOX Media/YouTube Originals, 2020), and the feature documentary BOSS: The Black Experience in Business (Firelight Films/PBS, 2019). She specializes in archival-based storytelling often examining social justice issues. Originally from Miami, Monica holds an MFA in documentary filmmaking from Wake Forest University.
Kelly Marshall Biography
Kelly Marshall is a New York-based photographer specializing in interiors, travel, food & portraiture. Her commercial and fine art work are interwoven as she explores inherent belief systems, how they construct our lives, our homes and in essence our everyday reality. Marshall's work has been exhibited at The Museum of The African Diaspora (MOAD), Southern Exposure, PhotoVille, and RUSH Arts. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Elle Decor & Architectural Digest. Clients include CB2, The Four Seasons, Pottery Barn, and T Brand Studio. She is a 2018 Lit List Awardee and is a proud member of Diversify Photo, Black Women Photographers, Women Photograph, and a board member of Color Positive, a directory of Black photo talent and arts mentorship programs for New York City schools. Currently she is directing her first film, Birthing of a Nation- an afro futuristic account of the reproductive justice movement and the healing arts of Black Women in America since 1619. Click here to see the trailer link for this film.
About the Ridgefield Library's ARTalk Series
This program is part of the Ridgefield Library's ARTalk series which is dedicated to exploring the creative process through lectures, films, and workshops that focus on art, architecture, and design.
Please note: The Ridgefield Library cannot guarantee your security or privacy on third party websites or applications.
Please register below.
