Michelle Vignes Oakland Blues

[jtk]

http://theoaklandstandard.museumca.org/oakland-blues-interview-michelle-vignes

Oakland is/was the home of the blues in the 60s...at least as much as Chicago.

Vignes talks about her way of working.

photographs mostly from live blues performances in Oakland, CA. She describes her photographic approach and her use of strobes.

 

[jtk]

 

[awty]

Wonderful photography.

A little docco of Oakland Blues history.

 

[jtk]

Awty, thanks.

That's an incredibly good depiction of something crucial for understanding blues and, as well, what a few white kids experienced in and around Oakland ... which was importantly connected to events in Berkeley, especially including opposition to the war in Vietnam

I attended San Leandro High School, a nearly entirely white school immediately adjoining Oakland.

I attended Oakland City College for a year, during which I saw the Black Panthers being formed. OCC was said to be 60% Black. The energy level was very high and the faculty was wonderful.

The Black Panthers were the sons and daughters of the people in that Oakland Blues film. They saw their parents, heroes of WWII and Korea, abused by the city's imported, non resident police. They understood that it was up to their generation to demand and get respect.

 

[Merg Ross]

Awty, thanks.

That's an incredibly good depiction of something crucial for understanding blues and, as well, what a few white kids experienced in and around Oakland ... which was importantly connected to events in Berkeley, especially including opposition to the war in Vietnam

I attended San Leandro High School, a nearly entirely white school immediately adjoining Oakland.

I attended Oakland City College for a year, during which I saw the Black Panthers being formed. OCC was said to be 60% Black. The energy level was very high and the faculty was wonderful.

The Black Panthers were the sons and daughters of the people in that Oakland Blues film. They saw their parents, heroes of WWII and Korea, abused by the city's imported, non resident police. They understood that it was up to their generation to demand and get respect.

Thanks for posting; brings back some good memories. I first attended Oakland City College in 1960, summer session. You're right about the energy, and terrific faculty. Started going at nights after fully employed. Was drafted at the end of '63, but resumed evening classes until '70. A lot was happening during those years on the Bay Area photography scene. I think you were here.
Best,
Merg