This 2015 Post is being revisited, edited and re- posted during a period of the global CO VID 19 crises, global weather shifts of biblical dimension and the FOX, CNNigan and other wars and rumors thereof.
Last Edited on Sunday June 26 ,2022
The artist cannot and must not take anything for granted, but must drive to the heart of every answer and expose the question the answer hides.
James Arthur Baldwin (from 'The Creative Process', Ridge Press 1962)
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| Place Verte 11eme arrondissement Paris from 'Enigmas in Paris' series ©2016 By Tejan Karefa |
I have lived in Paris as an artist-creative for the last seven years. I have been afforded a bounty of creative experience which, perhaps the fast moving and whimsical nature of the American art world would not afford me. This is not a malignant comparison, just a keen observation and perspective that a fulfilling level of living for the adventurous artist does exist outside of the confines of an American Dream. I can only smile when asked "Do you really love Paris that much?"
Yes- I do love 'my Paris', meaning, Té's Paris, The history of adventure that my experience in the city holds and what it was to the real life renaissance men who introduced me to her.
Men such as my Father Frank Karefa-Smart who launched his young life from the hinterland of Sierra Leone into a now legendary
life of youthful, majestic and often chaotic intrigue on the mother
continent, in Europe and in America.
His encounter in the early 1960's in a newly independent - West Africa with his future wife (my mother Gloria) and her older brother, a Harlemite renegade-artist who landed here on a unlikely quest that would murder the odds of becoming a walking Tesla-tower within the highest circles of modern literary discourse.
His encounter in the early 1960's in a newly independent - West Africa with his future wife (my mother Gloria) and her older brother, a Harlemite renegade-artist who landed here on a unlikely quest that would murder the odds of becoming a walking Tesla-tower within the highest circles of modern literary discourse.
The rest is truly historic.
This connection would continue to intrigue me from those chapters pf the 1970's up to the 'Present'. The saga now includes my wife, daughter and many wonderful people whom I would meet here and the fascinating adventures of my more recent seven year sojourn here.
Certainly all has not been a transatlantic fairy tale. Often enough, I have witnessed the dark side of the City of Lights. Besides the lake-of-fire bureaucracy that one has to endure to get a 'Titre de Sejour' which is basically the French equivalent of a Green card, It may be that am too African and too HIP HOP for most expatriate Americans in Paris and too African and American to be accommodated by Parisians as an acceptably adjusted Francilien.
There are no words for the tragic and horrendous loss of human life that took place in this wonderful city where I, my wife and many friends live and work. The news came while in DC with my wife and it was surreal to see a familiar zone sensationalized as a terror crime scene on CNN.
After returning , I had to do some reflecting on what mood to assume in what would be a new chapter for me as a legal resident in Paris. My recourse has always been not to surrender to the popularized drum beat of woe, terror and the constant fear of facing the unknowable each day. Induced Fear is the cause of the ill-effects of more hatred, persecution and the ignorant the reactionary violence that we are trained to categorize as ' ' (whatever words come to mind).
This connection would continue to intrigue me from those chapters pf the 1970's up to the 'Present'. The saga now includes my wife, daughter and many wonderful people whom I would meet here and the fascinating adventures of my more recent seven year sojourn here.
Certainly all has not been a transatlantic fairy tale. Often enough, I have witnessed the dark side of the City of Lights. Besides the lake-of-fire bureaucracy that one has to endure to get a 'Titre de Sejour' which is basically the French equivalent of a Green card, It may be that am too African and too HIP HOP for most expatriate Americans in Paris and too African and American to be accommodated by Parisians as an acceptably adjusted Francilien.
There are no words for the tragic and horrendous loss of human life that took place in this wonderful city where I, my wife and many friends live and work. The news came while in DC with my wife and it was surreal to see a familiar zone sensationalized as a terror crime scene on CNN.
After returning , I had to do some reflecting on what mood to assume in what would be a new chapter for me as a legal resident in Paris. My recourse has always been not to surrender to the popularized drum beat of woe, terror and the constant fear of facing the unknowable each day. Induced Fear is the cause of the ill-effects of more hatred, persecution and the ignorant the reactionary violence that we are trained to categorize as ' ' (whatever words come to mind).
What color do we give to war, pandemic suffering and death. A question mark is not needed.
Despite the damning evidence of human history- "All lives are sacred". Whatever we do or do not believe in, until we check our mirror the collective conscience will have to be shaken . As we tap click and swipe it is already written - that the worst is
yet to come.
We, whom the world calls 'artists' are the elected soul-survivors of our time , are here to storm with the greatest force that there is.. L.O.V.E.
It is the only bloodless cure .. it is not just a convenient word.. a shamelessly abused code-term for religious, hence ephemeral 'tolerance' but it is a true human cause that has endured the ages and the worst kind of suffering. We are in alliance with the times, the natural enemy of these warmongering minds that hide behind frenetic notions of peace.
The public response will, of course always vary in intensity of opinion, maturity of motive and intent. Redefining what our world should look like sound like and feel like is the proving ground the now generation of artists
We, whom the world calls 'artists' are the elected soul-survivors of our time , are here to storm with the greatest force that there is.. L.O.V.E.
It is the only bloodless cure .. it is not just a convenient word.. a shamelessly abused code-term for religious, hence ephemeral 'tolerance' but it is a true human cause that has endured the ages and the worst kind of suffering. We are in alliance with the times, the natural enemy of these warmongering minds that hide behind frenetic notions of peace.
The public response will, of course always vary in intensity of opinion, maturity of motive and intent. Redefining what our world should look like sound like and feel like is the proving ground the now generation of artists
.
Take it or leave it .. time will give to our children to harvest whatever we planted..
As so-named creatives and as everyday people - We remain ed redirected, focused and reinforced to our purpose for living (whatever we felt it might be) and kept vigilant in the cause of justice for ourselves, our families and for all of humanity- while we live.
Godspeed
T. Karefa Washington DC November 14th 2015
Take it or leave it .. time will give to our children to harvest whatever we planted..
As so-named creatives and as everyday people - We remain ed redirected, focused and reinforced to our purpose for living (whatever we felt it might be) and kept vigilant in the cause of justice for ourselves, our families and for all of humanity- while we live.
Godspeed
T. Karefa Washington DC November 14th 2015
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| 'La Bergère des nuages' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Elysée Zakat' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Errand du jour' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Girl Runner' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Crossing Rue du Lappe' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Bastille Chanteuse' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Les Princes du Blanc Mesnil Youth' from 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
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| 'Sari in St Germain' 'Enigmas in Paris' series by ©2016 Tejan Karefa |
