In conjunction with the exhibition Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal, Ars Nova Workshop and ICA Philadelphia present bi-weekly screenings of rare digital footage from Milford Graves’s archives. Screenings will be presented online throughout the run of the exhibition, along with additional video selections and dialogues that contextualize Graves’s practice.

The themes and dates for each digital release are listed below. Screenings begin at 6PM and will remain online until the next program begins.

Screening Schedule

• SEPTEMBER 28
  Introduction Part 1: Speaking in Tongues
  • Speaking in Tongues (1982)
    Directed by Doug Harris
    Runtime: 1:17:28
     
• OCTOBER 12
  Introduction Part 2: Festac ’77
  • Family Reunion – Americans at Festac (1978)
    Directed by Dick Young and Gerald Krell
    Narration by Schyleen Qualls
    Runtime: 35:57
     
• OCTOBER 26
  Research and Investigation: Heart Music
  • Bata Wormhole (2020)
    16mm film transferred to digital
    Runtime: 6:23
     
• NOVEMBER 9
  In Performance Part 1: Collaborative Projects
  • First Meeting: Milford Graves, Charles Gayle, and William Parker ​(1991)
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 44:05:07 min
  • Mouthful of Sweat / Chemical Imbalance Video Compilation: Milford Graves, Peter Brötzmann, William Parker ​(1988)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 10:33:02 min
  • Trio in the Dojo (1988)
    With Milford Graves, Brother Ah, and Hugh Glover
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 47:36:09 min
     
• NOVEMBER 23
  In Performance Part 2: Solo Work
  • Fukushima in Jazz Vol 42: Milford Graves, Mototeru Takagi, Toshisabulo Toyozumi, Kazutoki Umezu, and Toshinori Kondo (1977)
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 1:44:04
  • V. Bey Tape 2: Milford Graves Solo (date unknown)
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 21:20
  • International Film Festival Rotterdam concert in the Netherlands (2018)
    Digital video, color, sound
    Runtime: 24:43
    Courtesy of Jef Mertens Taping Policies
     
• DECEMBER 7
  Encounters in Japan: Min Tanaka
  
  • Art Camp Solo (c. 1980)
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 1:17:30
  • Milford Graves & Min Tanaka Duo (c. 1980)
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 36:00
  • Milford Graves & Min Tanaka: Bennington College (1993)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 58:45
  • Milford Graves & Min Tanaka: Kyoto (1985)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 52:43
  • Milford Graves & Min Tanaka: School for Autism (1981)
    Film transfer from VHS Tape
    Runtime: 1:51
     
• DECEMBER 21
  The Botanist: Graves in the Garden
  
  • Graves in the Garden (2020)
    Directed by Jake Meginsky
    16 mm and video transferred to digital
    Runtime: 6:43
  • Eating in the Garden (1990)
    Private VHS tape
    Runtime: 4:57
  • Garden Ground Spring/Summer (1988)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 15:47
     
• JANUARY 18
  Yara Martial Arts Movements: Healing Arts
  
  
  
  

  Yara is a Yoruba word that means to be ‘nimble’ or ‘flexible’. Actually it’s spontaneous improvised, and it’s reacting according to that particular situation. Yara is composed basically of West African dance movement. Warrior movement. A lot of movements that influenced me over the years. And to me it was only natural, just to flow into this type of movement, since it was part of my culture and lifestyle.​
  —Milford Graves

  • Movements in the Snow​ (c. 1990)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 10:34
  • Yara Group Warm Ups and Clapping​ (c. 1990)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 1:58:03
  • African Festival Yara Prep​ (1984)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 1:57:45
  • Yara Spring/Summer​ (1988)
    Private VHS Tape
    Runtime: 38:10

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Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal is organized by Mark Christman, Artistic Director, Ars Nova Workshop, with Anthony Elms, Daniel and Brett Sundheim Chief Curator, ICA. Curatorial support provided by Jake Meginsky. Accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue to be published by Inventory Press.

Major support for Milford Graves: A Mind-Body Deal has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, with additional support from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Joseph Robert Foundation.

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