David Banner’s The God Box Lecture Series from a Critical Art Lens

Arts & Entertainment Review by Aaron Thomas

Columbus, Ohio – October 14, 2017

On the lukewarm evening of October 7, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio, hip-hop artist David Banner headlined what was a three-day cultural extravaganza (Day 1: poetry open-mic at the Art of Republic, Day Two: an album listening party at The Ohio State University); the Speak Your Truth Summit, presented by Columbus’ own Spit N Sketch, featuring The God Box Lecture Series, with an array of other sizzling performances, top DJs, provocative poets, cultural vendors, volunteer and venue staff and the notorious visual artists, held at the Northland Performing Arts Center on Morse Road for Day 3 – the grand finale, main event.

I personally had the privilege to spearhead a live arts activity that night (and presented David Banner with an airbrushed portrait t-shirt I had prepared prior, being a big admirer of his most recent work); a Problem-Solution Mind-Mapping Community Art Project to be exact. Where myself and the other Monastic Arts’ crew (my creative arts business), consisting of Student Photojournalist at The Ohio State University Ray Bruster and local Arts Advocate for BlackSpace: Urban Performing Arts Collective Troy Anthony Harris, facilitated the creative process that evening, prompting the audience participants to brainstorm in tagging on the canvases with a variety of paint-markers (either images or words) and ideas around what they see as relevant societal issues that need addressed, and then what are some potential solutions to some of those said problems. This lesson concept was a mind-mapping team building activity designed to act as a critical arts case study, whereby the audience participants were able to speak their truths in critical art making, and the finished fine-arts product, a qualitative data list of problems and solutions.

Troy had this to say about his experience with the art project at the show;

“Artistic expression is freeing and universal, so the opportunity to ask our neighbors and friends to join us in a shared expression was truly a joy and looking at the finished canvasses, the viewer knows that it is a bold expression from a community of hands.”

Similarly, Ray had observed;

“To be honest, I’ve never seen so many African-Americans with their own businesses. It was very enlightening and encouraging to see African-American women and men selling their homemade products that were useful to African Americans.”

Now to be frank, the real wizard behind the curtain of this epic narrative was Tomiqua Perry, Founder and Promotor of Spit N Sketch, who had the heart, tenacity and vision to plan and coordinate such an independent ground-breaking cultural hip-hop lecture/summit. Columbus residents were extremely blessed to have David Banner’s latest national tour, The God Box Lecture Series come to town. Namely, it was a life enriching experience for all those who partook in the positive community building illumination!

“We have to start getting paid for our talents and gifts”; Banner had remarked while greeting his fans after the lecture style set. Thus, he only underscored with his message the same tenor of apologetics for sustainability, supporting folks’ entrepreneurial development, and cooperative economics, which has always been Ms. Miq’s vision and mission at Spit N Sketch for many years in her event promotions, radio broadcasting, and other creative ventures. In sum, her light shines bright like the gold sheen popping on Banner’s official #TheGodBox album t-shirt screen-printed logo.

Here are some other related links and references:

https://monasticarts.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/speak-your-truth-summit-2017-from-the-artists-lens/

https://youtu.be/aZjvfF8wLzQ

https://www.straightofficial.com/david-banner-601-comes-to-the-614-by-dj-layne-luv/

*Photo Credits: by Ray Bruster