International Capoeira Angola Foundation – New York

Almost a year ago our two resident artists, Duhirwe Rushemesa and Michael Loughlin, designed a beautiful banner for the group and gave us all the opportunity to participate in its crafting. Here is a short write up by Michael about the ideas and themes at work in the image:

I believe the banner we created for FICA-NY is a call to arms, an image that lets people know that FICA has arrived and wants to be heard in the great city of New York!

The iconic image of the Empire State building is the center piece of the impressive New York skyline, hence it is used to symbolized that we are alive in the heart of this city. The FICA logo is indeed iconic in its own right thus it is symbolized as being larger than the city for all to see and bring attention to the group that has established itself here.

The use of zebras in the foreground is to represent animals from the birth place of Capoeira Angola, Africa, and to demonstrate just how far the art has migrated. The zebras seem out of place yet blend into the city. The FICA logo also shares the image of the zebra as if it were playing along with the capoerista. Thus it is an image that solidifies that we are all animals roaming this interesting city and planet.

The overall style was created to look loose and fluid. The buildings are not square and no line is truly straight, they are there yet transparent. The city is obviously new york yet it is done in a gestural style that gives it movement and life, not rigid and grounded. The stylized quality used is to mimic the beauty and fluidity found at the heart of capoeira.

The colors used in the banner are that of the typical colors used in FICA, unifying our group with a global society that is interested in enriching the lives of many through the spirit of dance and sing! The color blue is used as a mark of uniqueness, a slight touch of hand that signals a sense of life and artistic freedom to accent. The color is sharp and vibrant in hopes of catching the eye and enlivening the surrounding.

The banner was created to give a sense of pride and spirit to those who train, play and sing in front of it. To establish a voice and pay homage to the art and beauty of Capoeira!