Release Date: February 10,2025
Akron Soul Train Presents Artists-in-Residence Davon Brantley, Duo Elyse Morckel and Denzel D. Washington, and Matt Kurtz
Public opening reception, Friday, Feb 28, 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Exhibits are free and open to the public from Wednesday, Feb 26 through Saturday, April 5, 2025.
February 10, 2025, Akron, OH —
The Vivid Process of Grief in Davon Brantley’s Chapter 2: Midsommar in Granada Gardens
Artist-in-Residence Davon Brantley presents Chapter 2: Midsommar in Granada Gardens, a collection of paintings in conversation with purgatory and grief. The tension of vibrant colors and muted grey tones represent the blending of emotions surrounding the loss of a loved one. Brantley’s characters move with dramatic effect, illuminating the intimate nature of confronting grief. The exhibit explores the limbo of being at once void of emotion and yet overwhelmed by emotion in combination with Brantley’s meditations on death, life, sexuality, masculinity, colorism, and racial stereotyping. A deeply personal exhibit, Midsommar In Granada Gardens is a visual blueprint of how Brantley has analyzed grief in the wake of his grandmother’s death.
“I lead the audience through my mind as if they were watching a play, utilizing dramatic compositions, absurd realism, and characters that act out certain emotions and themes in which I play all of the roles. Through larger-than-life-size scaled pieces, I present a glimpse inside of my mental landscape and inhabitants; finding a ground for what is invisible that bleeds into my waking world.” – Davon Brantley
About the Artist Davon Brantley:
Davon Brantley implements self-portraiture and psychology in his work and is inspired by the dissociative behaviors that happen because of trauma and the repetition involved with these experiences. He received his BFA in Drawing from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Davon has exhibited or helped curate at several places including BAYarts, The Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa) Cleveland, the CAN Triennial, The Morgan Conservatory, and The Museum of Creative Human Art. Brantley worked with community organizations like The Museum of Creative Human Art, and Graffiti HeArt, and has also furthered his investigations in Printmaking with DeepDive Art projects and CIA. He has participated in mural activities and advocates for the importance of art in young lives.
Choreographer Elyse Morckel and Cinematographer Denzel D. Washington Premiere Wanderlust Blue
The film Wanderlust Blue transforms the artistic medium of dance through the lens of the camera. Born from the writing of Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” and Elyse Morckel’s original dance piece VOID, Wanderlust Blue ruminates on humanity’s struggle with the notion that one’s existence is not the center of the universe. Filmed by Denzel D. Washington, the narrative follows BLUE, the seeming protagonist. However, as the story unfolds, a change of perspective drives the thought: is BLUE the only heart to exist in the endless stretches of space and time? Morckel’s choreography and Washington’s film is a Visual/Mover experiment embodying themes of space, technology, and the human need for exploration and fulfillment; a desire never satisfied when one is simply searching for oneself. Elyse Morckel and Denzel Washington were selected as Ann Amer Brennan Residents.
“To address a disconnect between dance arts and the community, we [used] the medium of film and production technology to invite a new scope of audiences to see dance through a different, more accessible lens.” – Elyse Morkel and Denzel Washington
About the Artists Elyse Morckel and Denzel D. Washington:
Elyse Morckel is a dance artist from Akron, Ohio. She earned her BFA from The Ohio State University with concentrations in choreography and dance technology. In 2017, she joined The Movement Project and later became the Associate Director. Morckel has performed the choreographic works of Pam Tanowitz, Kimberly Bartosik, Rebecca Leuszler, Megan Gargano, Irene Honora, Grace Nicklos & Liz Conway. Her choreographic projects include in the end, this is a victory dance (2018, restaged 2022), (6) Vignettes of Drama (2019), Sixes & 7’s (2021), Coddiwomple (2021), It’s a Game We Play (2022), and VOID (2023). Her solo work Sixes & 7’s was selected for the 2023 Ohio Dance Festival concert. She teaches pedagogy, composition, and somatics classes throughout Ohio.
Denzel Washington is a professional cinematographer and photographer. Currently, he works for University Hospitals and runs his own photography and video LLC. Washington produced and shot a nationwide commercial for the NFL BROWNS in collaboration with University Hospitals. He was the Cinematographer and Producer for 412 Thrives Cancer Awareness Campaign and won a silver telly award for his independently produced music video, So Long. Washington also worked on productions with clients like the Cavs, Playhouse Square, The Cleveland Ballet, Purell, and VITAMIX. Washington specializes in the art of storytelling and artistic media development and uses his expertise to educate, inspire, and help others connect on a deeper level.
Relive Matt Kurtz’ “Drumroll to the Solar Eclipse” in the CapSoul Gallery
See the solar eclipse again but this time with the perfect lead-in: a drumroll! This recording documents a sound performance in collaboration with the total eclipse on April 8th, 2024, at the Chestnut Ridge Park Amphitheater in Akron, Ohio. A few minutes before the moon completely covered the sun, Matt Kurtz directed a seven-piece percussion section in a drumroll that crescendoed and stopped at the moment of totality, coinciding with the natural phenomenon known as the “blackout.” This drumroll acted as a gesture to build anticipation and amplified the audience’s observation of this momentous collision with the cosmos.
This piece was funded by Akron Soul Train and performed by Maureen Joyce (timpani), Rubin Shirley (snare), Robin Guiler (snare), Mario Malachi (snare), Joe Bilinski (hand cymbals), and Matt Kurtz (gong).
About the Artist Matt Kurtz:
Matt Kurtz is an artist based in Akron, Ohio. His self-mythologizing artwork uses found objects, performance, and video documentation to reclaim identity in the ruins of industry and faith. Recent shows include a dual exhibition at Summit Art Space and an MFA thesis installation at Kent State University. His artwork strives to interact with the viewer through sound performance and site-specific observation.
About Akron Soul Train:
Akron Soul Train is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts in Akron, Ohio. Through artist residencies, exhibitions, and community engagement initiatives, Akron Soul Train provides resources and opportunities for artists to explore their creativity and contribute to the cultural richness of the region.
For more information about this show, visit our website and events page at www.akronsoultrain.org or contact Akron Soul Train at info@akronsoultrain.org.