E37. Bisa Butler: The Realization of Memory The Institute of Black Imagination.

In today’s conversation, Dario sits with fiber artist and storyteller Bisa Butler. Bisa tells the stories of African heritage and American home through an artistry and craft we all know as quilts. Her use of vibrant color and fine fibers reminds us that intentionality, textile, and choice allows our spirits to be known and rendered as portraits suspended in time and stories never forgotten. 
In this episode we explore themes of investing in your artistry, the universal human spirit, how a successful artist stays grounded, and Dario’s and Bisa’s 90s R&B/Hip Hop inspired handmade teen wardrobe 
Things we mention
Time as a function (and an illusion) of the gregorian calendar
Negritude movement and who are we when ‘universal’ seems to naturally mean white 
James Baldwin, Doom and Glory of Knowing Who You are, Dostoevsky
Bisa’s time studying art at Howard University included investigating the works and lives of 
Alma Thomas
Eizabeth Catlett 
Jacob Lawrence 
Henry Tanner 
Edmonia Lewis 
Gordon Parks 
James VanDerZee
The beauty and genius of El Anatsui 
Episode Playlist and Film List 
A short film (aka video) about time travel as it appeared on Yo! MTV Raps: Here Comes the Hammer by MC Hammer 
Jason’s Lyric 
I’m so Into you by SWV
Ordinary People by John legend 
Bisa Butler on Instagram
All the latest news about Bisa can be found on Bisa’s Linktree 
This conversation was recorded on Jan 6, 2022
Host Dario Calmese 
Producer Carmen D. Harris  
Visual Art Direction and Designs: 
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