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Rasu Jilani

Rasu Jilani is an Independent curator, social sculptor and entrepreneur whose work investigates the intersection between art, culture and civic engagement as a means of raising critical consciousness. The objective of his work is to activate interaction between artists, the local community and the wider public, in order to promote awareness around social issues through exhibitions, humanities, community programs and cultural events.

In 2008, Rasu Jilani introduced the Coup d’etat Art Collective, a Brooklyn-based collaboration of highly respected artists, to produce various art-related events throughout New York City. The Coup d’etat Art Collective provides a unique platform for creative synergy while filling an undeniable void in the arts and culture community. He joined the staff of MAPP International Productions in April 2013 as Director of Community Programs. Prior to joining MAPP,  he served a two-year tenure as Senior Fellow of Arts, Culture and Sustainability at the Pratt Center for Community Development where projects included Arts East New York’s Summer Saturdaze at East New York Farms, Bedford Stuyvesant’s Retrofit Block-by-Block, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Restoration Rocks and Youth Arts Education, Brooklyn Greens Sustainability Leadership Conference, Cypress Hill Verde Summit, and the “Amplify Action: Sustainability Through The Arts” exhibition.

Early Life

Jilani was born in St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands, by immigrant parents from Antigua (Father), Curacao (Mother), which are both islands in the Caribbean. He was born as Alex Adams, and changed his name to Rasu Jilani in 2000 to have a name that was more culturally significant. He grew up in Queens and spent most of his adult life in Bedstuy, BK, which influenced his impulse to give voice to people who are normally marginalized or considered voiceless. Being an immigrant has made him feel like somewhat of an outsider, which established his affinity for the outsider and the underdog. Rasu Jilani is an Independent curator, social sculptor and entrepreneur whose work investigates the intersection between art, culture and civic engagement as a means of raising critical consciousness. In 1989, Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” video in response to Spike Lee’s film “Do The Right Thing,” in the midst of the rising racial tension in NYC due to the death of Yusef Hawkins, has had a profound effect on the way he sees art and its impact on communities. It was the first time that he can recall seeing socially engaged artists rally a community, redirecting the energy to honor the heroes, collective celebration and created an artistic product as a result. What's more, Hip Hop moment in his pre-teen years has influenced his approach to including communities as a critical piece to his practice as a community organizer and art producer. In 2008 when he first business, Coup d’etat Brooklyn, was conceived, the stoop at his former home on Hancock Street in Bedstuy is the place where his activism was realized, where stories from the neighborhood were shared, and the sense of community was reinforced. The objective of his work is to catalyze interaction between artists, the local community and the wider public, in order to promote awareness around social issues through exhibitions, humanities, community programs and cultural events. Rasu Jilani joined the staff of MAPP International Productions in April 2013 as Director of Community Programs. Prior to joining MAPP, he served a two-year tenure as Senior Fellow of Arts, Culture and Sustainability at the Pratt Center for Community Development where projects included Arts East New York’s Summer Saturdaze at East New York Farms, Bedford Stuyvesant’s Retrofit Block-by-Block, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Restoration Rocks and Youth Arts Education, Brooklyn Greens Sustainability Leadership Conference, Cypress Hill Verde Summit, and the “Amplify Action: Sustainability Through The Arts” exhibition.

Education

Jilani went to August Martin High School in Queens, NY and earned his bachelor's degree from Syracuse University. His education did not influence his artist practice, since that was a different life for him. He spent 14 years as a Technologist working for Columbia Law School, Price Waterhouse, NBC and Carrier Corp.

Work

Jilani is a art curator and develops professional programs in the community. The goal of his work is to increase the calibration between artists, the local community, and the public to bring more awareness around social issues that are taking place. He accomplishes this through art exhibitions, volunteering in the community, developing local community programs and cultural events.

Jilani has worked with over 125 artists to curate, design and manage artistic and community events that address social concerns and local issues. He spent two years as a member at Culture and Sustainability at the Pratt Canter for Community Development. This is where oversaw art and cultural programs that connected New York City communities with Pratt Center's community and environmental sustainability projects. Jilani also served two years as Senior Fellow of the Arts.

Jilani is co-founder of Coup d'etat Arts which is a platform for creative expression and changes cultural boundaries. He organized the Coup d'etat Art Collective in 2008, which is a Brooklyn-based collaboration of between artists to create art-related events and activities around New York City. These events include Afropunk Festival, BEAT Festival, Long Island University, Pratt Institute, Columbia University, The New School, Mighty Tanaka Gallery, and the Skylight Gallery.

Jilani worked for MAPP International Productions in April 2013 as Director of Community Programs. His most recent work at MAPP includes Blink Your Eyes: Sekou Sundiata Revisited, Triple Consciousness: Black Feminism(s) in the Time of Now, Days of Art and Ideas, and artists led workshops.

Exhibitions

Apr, 2012	Amplify Action: "Sustainability Through The Arts"
	Skylight Gallery, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Nov, 2009	Live To Change Something Through Art
	Skylight Gallery, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
Jun, 2009	We’ve Gotta Have It!: Art Inspired by Spike Lee
	Long Island University, Salena Gallery, Flatbush Campus
Nov, 2008	Coup d'etat Artshow
	SlyArt & Robot City
Jun, 2007	Afropunk Festival Mural
	Brooklyn Academy of Music

Recent Projects:

Brooklyn Greens Sustainability Leadership Conference: “Greening from the Ground Up!”, 2012

Cypress Hills Verde Summit – Youth Arts Workshop, Fall 2011

Restoration Rocks, 2011 – “Live Healthy, Live Green, Live Well”

Bed-Stuy Restoration – Youth Arts Program, Summer 2011

Cypress Hills Energy Block Party, Summer 2011

Coup d’etat  Artshow – “Live to change something Through Art”, Fall 2009

Afropunk Festival, Art Production, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012

Venues Curated: 

Skylight Gallery, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation

Long Island University, Salena Gallery, Flatbush Campus

SlyArt & Robot City

Brooklyn Academy of Music

References

Jilani, R. (n.d.). Rasu Jilani. Retrieved March 24, 2016, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasujilani

Vidani, P. (2016). Bio and Projects. Retrieved March 24, 2016, from http://rasujilani.com/Bio

T. (2015, May 6). Meet Rasu Jilani | The Laundromat Project. Retrieved March 27, 2016, from http://laundromatproject.org/meet-rasu-jilani/

Griots in ‘The Stuy’: A Neighborhood as a Living Archive. Retrieved March 27, 2016, from http://laundromatproject.org/griots-in-the-stuy/

2015 Curators. Retrieved March 24, 2016, from http://fluxfair.nyc/curators/

Rasu Jilani. 2015 Curators. Retrieved March 24, 2016, from http://www.beatbrooklyn.com/rasu-jilani/

External Links

Create Change spotlight, Rasu Jilani on YouTube

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coup_d%27etat_Brooklyn