Much like her very creative mother, theatrical press agent Irene Gandy, Mira Gandy’s got skills! A resident artist at the Knox Gallery, she is stepping into a new adventure with Korean-American playwright Ahrum Claiborne in “Art Takes Seoul.” The collaborative exhibition explores identity, filial relationships, personal triumph, 1980’s hip-hop, pop culture and the notion of the American Dream.
The word “Seoul” in the exhibition’s title is viewed as a homophone, indicting not just a “country” but “soul,” thus emphasizing both artists’ belief that the passion and spirit behind an artist’s work is a prerequisite for meaningful creation.
Claiborne portrays seven different characters in her autobiographical story, which chronicles her journey from South Korea to the streets of New York City during the hip hop era of the 1980s.
“The first time that I read Ahrum’s play, I could not stop crying and laughing,” said Irene Gandy. “I could not remember loving and understanding such powerful theater in a long, long time. I introduced her to my daughter, and they clicked.”
“Exploring the world of words and marrying them to images,” said Mira Gandy, “has been a cathartic and positive experience in my personal and artistic life. … Art as a catalyst for human connection and bridging cultural gaps–well, that’s what I am about.”
Claiborne understands the cultural gap very well, too. Her education was assisting her mother to make ends meet by selling all types of goods in the city. Her mother’s English language skills were limited, but her mind was sharp as a razor’s edge. She was a natural businesswoman.
In broken English peppered with a Korean accent, Claiborne shared the savvy saleswoman hawk she polished on the streets of the city. “Real good price. Real gold. You buy fast. I’m going to use the bathroom in Alexander’s. You buy now … before the police come. Real good price,” she said.
Claiborne’s ability to transform into other characters is so very spot on that it reminded me of John Leguizamo and his first turn as a one-man performing artist with Mambo Mouth.
Full disclosure, I was Leguizamo’s personal publicist for three years and witnessed the lean years–i.e., when he was homeless and broker than broke despite the critics’ glowing accolades. I witnessed the sacrifice and the weight of bringing up memory and shining scars to forge them into armor.
Ability is one aspect that Claiborne shares with Leguizamo, and the others are grit, determination and passion.
The soul of an artist aches to share their story. The soul of the audience, once touched, aches to listen and to hear.
The exhibit runs Nov. 1-Dec. 6. RSVP by emailing info@knoxgallery.com. The Knox Gallery is located at 129 W. 129th St. in Harlem, between Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard and Lenox Avenue. For more info, visit www.knoxgallery.com.
