Dandy Lion: Articulating a Re(de)fined Black Masculine Identity

Curated by: Shantrelle P. Lewis

After successful installations at various institutions, in addition to garnering press from prestigious media outlets, I’m pleased to announce that The Dandy Lion Project has been invited to publish our text with an exciting  new independent publisher.  Thus, I’m in the process of collecting new work to be considered for the forthcoming publication as well as future installations of the exhibition both in the States and abroad. If you are a photographer or filmmaker with in an interest in this subject matter, I invite you to submit work for consideration.

- Shantrelle P. Lewis

   Founder & Curator, The Dandy Lion Project

About the The Dandy Lion Project:

dan·dy \ˈdan-dē\

n. pl. dan·dies

1. A man who affects extreme elegance in clothes and manners; a fop.

2. Something very good or agreeable

Juxtaposed against an urban backdrop where the clothing of choice for many Black men consists of a of sagging pants, exposed boxers, jerseys and white tees – the “hip hop” generation has produced another phenomenon of style – the New Age Black dandy. Noticeably different from his historical minstrel or Harlem Renaissance “cult of respectability prototype,” the 21st Century Dandy Lion is more masculine than metro-sexual and certainly more an expression of the African aesthetic and mode of cosmopolitan swagger than an imitation of European high-brow society. A Dandy Lion is a contemporary man of SWAG who oozes creativity and makes well thought-out decisions in expressing his individuality. A performance and embodiment of sophistication, dandies are gentlemen of exceptional manners who consciously postulate what it means to be Black, male, masculine and full of style not simply as performance but an embracement of a particular lifestyle.

Founded in Fall 2010, The Dandy Lion Project explores the embodiment of style, sophistication and a commitment to culture via dramatized Black masculinity. Consisting of several platforms including a traveling exhibition and forthcoming book, this initiative is an examination and approbation of the contemporary dandy in African Diasporan settings. Dandy Lion is an homage to the fashionable urban gentleman – an African Diasporan man of style, an urban connoisseur of sophistication and a contemporary man of SWAG.

WHO CAN SUBMIT:

Photographers and filmmakers based in the U.S. and abroad.

SUBMISSIONS:

In order for your submission to be considered complete, please forward ALL of the items below.

NOTE:  Write your name and DANDY LION in SUBJECT LINE.

1. Please submit 5-10 jpeg images via Flickr with a description for each piece including (title, medium, dimensions, date(s) of completion). Links should include option to download various sizes including large, hi-res files.

2. CV or Resume

3. Artist Statement – as it relates specifically to the project’s topic.

4. Brief bio

5. Vimeo Link: For films, please upload to vimeo and establish privacy settings if necessary. (Must be Quicktime compatible)

6. Info about Dandy Lion - Each submission should also include the Name (or Alias) of each subject(s).

TWO TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CONSIDERATION:

•    Pre-existing work on the topic.

•    New work created specifically for the project.

SUBJECT MATTER:

I’m interested in photographs and films that convey the following (but not limited to)

·      Sapeur in the Congo

·      Sapeur in Europe

·      Black dandies in urban landscapes and metropolitan areas.

·      Black dandies in professional environments.

·      Black dandies in home environments.

·      The closets of Black dandies.

·      Black dandy pastimes/leisure.

·      Details of outfits.

·      Details of accessories.

·      Black dandies in their professional environment.

·      Black dandies in relationships.

·      Black dandies getting dressed/grooming.

·      International Black dandies (especially the Caribbean, South America, Africa and/or Europe).

·      Black dandies in rural landscapes (especially in the U.S. South).

·      Tailors & Designers of Black men’s (dandy) fashion.

·      The mannerisms and gestures of Black dandies.

·      The Suit itself.

Forward submissions and questions to:

Shantrelle P. Lewis at thedandylionproject@gmail.com.

DEADLINE:

All materials must be received no later than August 15, 2013.

6Dandy Lion, Black Dandy, Black Dandysim, Dandyism,