Photo Book Pick of the Day: Events of the Social, Portraiture and Collective Agency

Events of the Social:
Portraiture and Collective Agency

African Photography from The Walther Collection

This delightful photo-essay catalog focuses on themes of gender, race, class and social change across three generations of African photography.

Events of the Social is a comprehensive investigation into photographic works by artists from the African continent and its diaspora. Taking the politics of the “colonial gaze” as its starting point, the book looks at the diverse complexity of the nineteenth-century archive through a selection of vintage portraits, cartes de visite, postcards and album pages.

Grace Ndiritu, “Lying Down Textiles,” from the series Still Life , 2005-2007

Three generations of African artists from the 1940s till now then chart the changing features of African societies through portraiture, exploring notions of the self, gender, sexuality, race, social status and politics. The book also examines landscape and the built environment, showing how architecture and spatial planning convey social order and ideology while reflecting experiences of migration, colonialism, war and industrialization.

Dawit L. Petros, “Untitled (Prologue II),” from the series The Stranger’s Notebook , 201. © The artist.

Another group of artists, born after the mid-1970s, explores issues of social identity, lineage, questions of belonging and personal experiences. Artists featured include Sammy Baloji, Jodi Bieber, Mimi Cherono Ng’ok, Alfred Martin Duggan-Cronin, David Goldblatt, Seydou Keïta, Zanele Muholi, Malick Sidibé and Mikhael Subotzky.

Co-published with The Walther Collection, Neu-Ulm / New York

(Reviewer’s note: contains some nude images)

Seydou Keïta, “Untitled,” 1952-1955.

Events of the Social: Portraiture and Collective Agency African Photography from The Walther Collection

  • Edited with text by Elvira Dyangani Ose
  • Book Design: Gabrielle Guy
  • 200 pages, 232 images
  • 6.75 x 9 in. / 17 x 23 cm
  • Softcover
  • US$ 45.00 / € 30.00
  • ISBN 978-3-96999-087-2

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Uber Portable Party Sounds arrive with Sway’s Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set

There’s really no good reason not to have your favorite tunes with you wherever you go. In fact, now there are even less reasons not to be able to sing along with your friends, family, or colleagues Karaoke style wherever you go. Sway’s new Audio Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set is a great pick for anyone looking to bring the party and entertainment with them anywhere. With its impressive features and affordable price point, this 5-Watt portable Bluetooth speaker is a useful and fun addition to any gathering, whether it’s a kid’s birthday party, a beach outing, or a summer BBQ with friends.

Featuring a powerful five-watt multi-ambient LED speaker, the Minioke LED Go delivers clear audio with deep, rich sound that surprisingly can fill a room or outdoor space. The upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 chipset ensures a seamless wireless connection, allowing you to enjoy your hits without any interruptions. Plus, with a six-hour battery life, the music keeps playing for as long as the party lasts.

What is great about the sleek Minioke LED Go is its built-in karaoke functionality. The state-of-the-art wireless microphone, equipped with the latest 2.4G connection technology, allows you to unleash your inner pop star and sing along to your favorite songs.

 

Designed with portability and durability in mind, the Minioke LED Go is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry wherever you need it. Its stylish and sleek design, coupled with the soothing multi-mode color changing ambient lighting, adds a touch of flair its surroundings. You can adjust the lighting manually to suit the mood or turn it off completely for a more relaxed ambiance.

Another convenient feature of the Minioke LED Go is its compatibility with all phones and the inclusion of a Type C charging port. You can effortlessly connect it to your device and enjoy up to six hours of playtime on medium volume. Plus, with its sturdy fabric finish, this speaker can withstand the rigors of your adventures, making it the ultimate party companion.

SPECS

  • Bluetooth Version 5.0
  • Up To 6 Hours Playtime 3.7V/2000mAh battery
  • 5-Watt Output
  • Upgraded 2.4G Connection Wireless Microphone
  • Multi-Ambient LED Lightning With Multiple Settings
  • Type C Charging Port (Type-C Data Cable Included)

Overall, the Sway Audio Minioke LED Go Portable Karaoke Set is a fun music box  that offers exceptional value for the low price. It’s been called s a “Party Starter in a Box,” and we definitely agree.

Celebrity Chef Jose Andrés restaurants start using Loliware’s sustainable Seaweed Straws

 

Loliware, the pioneering seaweed-resin company, has announced a significant partnership with Celebrity Chef Jose Andrés’ “José Andrés Group“ (JAG), the internationally renowned restaurateur’s network of establishments. This collaboration aims to enhance JAG’s purpose-driven practices by introducing Loliware’s innovative seaweed products in their North American restaurants.

Loliware’s seaweed-resin straws and utensils are designed to resemble and function like plastic but can fully compost within 50 days. This is a significant step toward combating the environmental impact of single-use plastics, as it is estimated by National Geographic Magazine and other sources that over 100 million plastic utensils are used daily in the U.S., contributing to pollution on beaches and in oceans worldwide. Loliware’s mission goes beyond waste elimination to encompass responsible ocean aquaculture and fair trade practices.

 

 

Manufactured in Missouri, Loliware’s seaweed-based forks, knives, and spoons are the world’s first of their kind. They provide a sustainable alternative to limit the accumulation of single-use plastics in landfills and oceans.

The partnership kicks off in Chicago, where Loliware straws are introduced at Bar Mar, Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, and Jaleo. The plan is to expand the use of Loliware products to JAG properties in DC and eventually across the entire country.

 

In addition to featuring Loliware’s ocean-friendly products, JAG’s Research & Development team will work closely with Loliware to create unique and customized serveware. This partnership aims to showcase the synergy between José Andrés’ award-winning creativity and the shared commitment to purpose-driven dining.

Sam Bakhshandehpour, President of José Andrés Group, emphasized the importance of considering not just the food itself but also the sustainability of the service ware, including the plates, forks, and straws. He expressed excitement about collaborating with Loliware to bring innovation to their restaurants and push the boundaries of service ware.

 

 

Loliware is a woman-owned tech company that aims to replace single-use plastics with products that naturally disappear. Through partnerships with experts in regenerative aquaculture worldwide, Loliware utilizes its proprietary SEATech resins and products to contribute to the expansion of the “blue economy.” Their compostable seaweed-based Blue Ocean straws have already gained popularity among famous chefs, restaurant chains, and eco-conscious hotels. Loliware’s SEATech resins are now available for licensing globally, driving the planet toward a plastic-free and decarbonized future.

 

Loliware CEO Sea F. Briganti expressed their enthusiasm for partnering with José Andrés Group, acknowledging the iconic status of the group and their leader’s contributions to culinary innovation and humanitarian relief efforts. Briganti believes this partnership speaks to the transformative potential of Loliware’s SEATech resins.

José Andrés Group (JAG), led by Chef and Founder José Andrés and President Sam Bakhshandehpour, is a creative team behind renowned dining concepts and a dynamic media company. With a mission to change the world through food, JAG operates over 30 restaurant concepts across various cities and countries. From food trucks to Michelin-starred tasting menus, JAG offers diverse culinary experiences. In addition to their restaurants, JAG’s media company, formed in 2021, focuses on sharing food-related stories through television series, books, podcasts, and digital content. José Andrés, an internationally recognized culinary innovator, humanitarian, and bestselling author, has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the industry and his philanthropic efforts.