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Martin Bandyke Under Covers: Geoffrey O’Brien, Editor-in-Chief at the Library of America
A nonprofit publisher of classic American literature, the Library of America was founded in 1979 and has published well over 200 hundred volumes by a wide range of authors, including Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Raymond Chandler, Flannery O’Connor, and Kurt Vonnegut. Geoffrey O’Brien has served as Editor-in-Chief at the LOA since 1988 and is also an accomplished poet, book and film critic, translator, and cultural historian.
Bandyke spoke to O’Brien about three recently issued titles from the Library of America: a collection of Elmore Leonard novels from the 1970s (including Fifty-Two Pickup, Swag, Unknown Man No. 89 & The Switch); Art in America: 1945-1970 (which includes writings from the age of Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art & Minimalism); and President Lincoln Assassinated! (which recaptures the immediacy of Lincoln’s assassination, the hunt for the conspirators and the nation’s mourning for the martyred president).
The interview was originally recorded on January 21, 2015.
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The Prison Creative Arts Project: Art by Michigan Prisoners
The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) was founded in 1990 with the mission to collaborate with incarcerated adults, incarcerated youth, urban youth and the formerly incarcerated to strengthen our community through creative expression. This nationally recognized show has grown to be one of the largest exhibitions of prisoner art in the country and features more than 500 works of art by over 250 artists.
Martin Bandyke, morning drive host at Ann Arbor's 107one, discusses the Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners with William (Buzz) Alexander, Janie Paul and Sari Adelson, the exhibit founders and curators.
20th Annual Exhibition of Art by Michigan Prisoners will run from March 25 through April 8 at the Duderstadt Gallery on the North Campus of the University of Michigan. For more information about the exhibit, visit The Prison Creative Arts Project's website.
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AADL talks to Mochimochi Knitter, Designer, Author and Artist Anna Hrachovec.
AADL talks to Knitter, Designer, Author and Mochimochi Artist Anna Hrachovec.
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Kids Read Comic 2014: KCR Awards!
What was the grossest moment in comics in 2013? Which comics character had the best hair? Kids voted for these categories as well as their favorite characters and graphic novels! Help us celebrate the first annual Kids’ Comics Revolution Awards Ceremony as we reveal the winners! No black tie required, but you could wear your favorite comics-inspired costume! With live music and lots of laughs!
Hosted by Matthew Holm & Jerzy Drozd, with a bevy of special guests!
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Meet Mochimochi Land Creator & Fiber Artist, Anna Hrachovec
Spend the afternoon with Anna Hrachovec - famous Brooklyn knitter, fiber artist and creator of the amazing Mochimochi Land world of tiny knitted toys, creatures and spectacular installations.
Mochimochi Land was launched in 2007 as a place where knitted toys and people can live together in a spirit of tolerance. The characters that inhabit Mochimochi Land are Anna's original designs. Anna finds inspiration in Hello Kitty, Pee-Wee's Playhouse, and illustrators like Dr Seuss and Mary Blair. Anna's knitted toys have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, all around the web, and in print. The mochimochiland.com website also features Anna's books, kits, and downloadable knitting and cross-stitch patterns. Printed Mochimochi Land patterns and kits are also available.
When she's not designing patterns to share with fellow crafters, Anna creates character-based fiber art, which has been exhibited throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. You can also see her art at annahrachovec.com.
Want to learn how to make some of Anna's fantastic creations yourself? Check out all of her books and exclusively for AADL cardholders get instant access with our NEW collection of downloadable Mochimochi Land patterns - just login into your account to access this one of a kind collection.
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MLK Event: Award-winning Author & Illustrator Bryan Collier
On the day before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, AADL was pleased to host award-winning author and children’s book illustrator Bryan Collier, presenting a program for youth that highlights his acclaimed work.
Collier's illustrations in his book Martin's Big Words: The Life Of Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport bring to life the message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This book shows Collier's talent for mixing art mediums to create stunning illustrations that entrance the reader. "Martin's Big Words" received much acclaim and was awarded the 2002 Caldecott honor as well as the 2002 Coretta Scott King Honor.
Collier also won acclaim for his book Uptown, which was his first foray into both writing and illustrating. "Uptown" is the recipient of various awards, including the 2001 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration.
Despite the fact that his career is in high gear, Collier completely values his role as the director for the Harlem Horizon Art Studio, an art program based out of the Harlem Hospital and designed especially for teenagers and kids. It is Collier's belief that teaching the appreciation of art can only lead to positive things.
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Hawai'i: Deep Beauty and Volcanic Power
Look beyond the idyllic tourist image of Hawaii and explore the deeper beauty and sacred heritage of Hawaii and its volcanoes through its cultural traditions, history, literature, music, and art with authors Tom Peek and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and artist Catherine Robbins. The program will include author readings, cross-cultural discussion, nature photography, and volcano-inspired art. The event features:
Hawaii-based writer Tom Peek, who will read from his new novel, "Daughters of Fire," a gripping story of interracial and intercultural romance, political intrigue, myth and murder, set atop the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawaii and filled with complex characters that reveal the true heart of Hawaii.
Ann Arbor-based writer Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, who will read from her new chapbook, "Where the Lava Meets the Sea—Asian Pacific American Postcards from Hawai‘i," in which she explores the natural wonders, many cultures, and interesting characters of Big Island as she searches for home in Hawaii, and instead discovers an Asian Pacific American sense of belonging.
Hawaii-based artist Catherine Robbins, who will discuss her volcano-inspired paintings and artistic practice.
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AADL Talks To: Gary Grimshaw
Gary Grimshaw is one of the most renowned and recognizable poster artists to come out of the 1960s. His most prolific period as a graphic artist was his time spent with John and Leni Sinclair in the mid-1960s and early 1970s, first in the Detroit-based Trans-Love Energies commune and then in Ann Arbor with the White Panther Party/Rainbow People's Party. In this interview we talk with the former White Panther Party Minister of Art about creating art for the Grande Ballroom and the White Panther Party, the night John Sinclair met both him and the MC5, and how he made his art then and now.
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AADL Productions Podcast: Donald Harrison on the 49th Ann Arbor Film Festival
In this episode, Donald Harrison, then executive director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, talks about the 49th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival. Donald highlights several programs, including some of the free public events, family events, special programs and opening night celebrations. Donald also talks about the jury process and gives a preview of the 50th anniversary, which took place the following year in 2012.
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AADL Productions Podcast: 48th Ann Arbor Film Festival
Tuesday marks the start of the 48th Ann Arbor Film Festival, one of Ann Arbor's world-class annual events. AAFF's Executive Director, Donald Harrison, stopped by to give us a quick overview of what we have to look forward to in this year's festival. Aside from the many great films on offer, Donald talks about some of the panel discussions and live performances. This year's highlights include an evening with legendary experimental filmmaker Kenneth Anger and a specially commissioned soundtrack, performed live by composer Flying Lotus, to Harry Smith's 1962 film Heaven & Earth Magic. Two of this year's events happen at AADL: Bison Boys & Famous Monsters of Michigan: 1970s Super-8mm Films of Jimm Juback & Cary Loren and Gerry Fialka Discusses Dream Awake: How James Joyce Invented Experimental Cinema & Disguised It As A Book.