Excerpts from. "I Dream of Jimi". Music by Randy Hardy.  Animation by Onli. Nov. 26th 2012 Jimi would have turned 70.

"Only Wear, ONLIWEAR" A runway performance in wearable art at the International Limelight Club in Chicago. Circa 1987 / '89. Music by Aki Antonia
Wearable Art by Onli.

All images, illustrations, and artwork Copyright 2012 Turtel Onli

       ONLI STUDIOS link.

 Onli's recent installation, "Future Funk: by way of The ONLIWEAR Tribe" at the DuSable Museum in Chicago, Oct. 26th 2012. 

In the rear is a photo and drawings by the museum's forward thinking founder, the late Dr. Burroughs. Onli has presented installations in galleries art centers and entertainment centers.  He is very interested in moving on to commissioned Afro-futurish / Rhythmistic installations, lectures or public-art connected to museums and universities.

"In the future we will all be Art Stars!"

"Visual intelligence is a profound cognitive asset. Where would the future be without it?"

"RHYTHMIQUE" Pencil, 1983:

Momentum is the most powerful force of all.  Afro-futurism was born in the minds of brilliant forward thinking African American slaves and the freedom expanding visionaries of the Black Liberation Movement during the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960s. The great George Washington Carver was not the only Black American with an eye on the future. To get in where one fits in the flow of time, ideas, change and chance is as crucial as preparation meeting opportunity. In a result of the tensions in America in 1968 Onli chose to launch art movements derived from the Black and urban experience. Rhythmism is a force in motion.   Onli came of age in the late 1960s.

This is an image Onli created in 1983 as part of his Cosmopolitan Daydream production and talent management operation. The image and resulting multimedia performance tribute was impressive as a feature for the 25th Anniversary of the National Conference of Artists.  It was held at the Genesis Center in Gary Indiana. Building on Onli's prior efforts has launched the Black Age movement along with all things Rhythmistic.

But there is no cure for the now in the future.

Post Blackuns Wanted!

"Most folks pushing the "Post Black" notion see limits in the idea of a Black Culture and miss the vibrant influence of this amazing yet youthful world culture.  Born in the mid-60s, "Blackness" has reached folks on all levels of life world wide.  The idea and practices of "Blackness" goes beyond the limits of "race", "ages", "cast" or "value". "Black" is now very Euro-Asian-Afro-Americo.  It is constantly being reshaped while reforming along the way.  Most of us vintage Black-pioneers love the Post-Blackuns.  Being Black will outlive the post-dating by the  few.  Even the Hip-Hop Community has issues with calling itself "Black" yet every aspect of it was laid out during the Black Cultural Revolution of the 1960s.

Those "Post Black" folks will come to terms with how Black they really are. They could sell the world options beyond the often limited or negative images pushed by some as being "Black".  They could heal and grow so much!

 BTW: Underachievement and anti-social actions are really not being Black....OK???

Not to mention, they could step up to add more positive potential to the Black vibe. Building a healthier community would be nice.  Growing profitable institutions. We did. The whole Afro-future thing was waiting for them to show up since day one.  Just ask the Dogon.

Blackness overcame all issues and challenges to which they benefit.  Now they want to "post" it?!!!!!"

Educators Professional Development Workshop:

“DIVERSITY & LITERACY THROUGH GRAPHIC NOVELS”

Focus:

The Black Age of Comics Movement in the contemporary world of Graphic Novels.

This growing movement was started in Chicago in February 1993 by Mr. Turtel Onli NCLB Certified, BFA, MAAT , an Art teacher and Coach in the Chicago Public Schools. Visiting Artist , African American Cultural Center at UIC.  Adjunct Professor in Art Appreciation at Harold Washington College. Former Art Therapist.

Registration  with classes scheduled to suit your busy schedule.

Fee: $75.00 Special introductory rate.

Benefits:

You will learn how to adapt and bring graphic novels into the classroom for students at all levels.

Curriculum guides, online resources,  Black Age documentary DVD, activity plans and sample Black Age products plus Two CPDUs.

(  More may be earned based on a sliding rigor / scale / rate up to 15 CPDUs. )

Location:

ONLI STUDIOS

4^th Floor,  Bridgeport Art Center

34^th and South Racine, via the rear loading dock

Chicago IL 60609 

Call to reserve your participation: Phone: 773-726-1610  Email: onli@sbcglobal.net

Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education.

"Da Funk Mob" Illustration using the generative systems method by Turtel Onli:

"The late Neil Bogart, President of Casablanca Records was so impressed with this image in 1976 that he wanted me to illustrate "The Adventures of P-Funk" with the vision to move it via Marvel Comics.  When the deal fell through I went on to work with Captain Sky and Casablanca produced "KISS Comix" with Marvel.  I later contributed to an album cover by George Clinton on Capital Records.  I own the cartoon rights to Captain Sky.  

Another  instance when the future was always there....waiting...."

The future was always there.  Waiting.  Without giving permission.  Yet in support of everything that happens along the way.

The Rhythmistic Museum

Being Future-Primitif is similar to being Afro-Futurist.  However it has a focus that gives it voice.  An idenity that flows over its audience.  A craft that compells its practitioners. It has a truth that is outside of time. Even the temporary impasses of slavery and neo-colonialism could limit its reach.  There is no data base like the DNA of Africa.  Where humanity began. Where the future got its start. 

OF COURSE ONE KNOWS THE FUTURE WAS THERE FIRST!

"I often use the immediacy of the camera to jot down an idea.  To freeze a moment. Working with Sabra, my new house model, gave a boost to my usual Rhythmistic flow.  She is fearless in her embrace of movement and the grace or space. Though I have taken thousands of images and studied a lot of photography in classes along the way, I do not think of myself as a photographer.  I have too much respect for the medium and its true masters. I look forward to working more with her and the lens."

  (Click on the image to enlarge )

This article signaled the launch of the Black Age Movement 20 years ago.  I was fortunate to have this manifesto-type article published in the Comic Buyers Guide in Feb. 1993.  Plus to later attract the brilliant and dedicated participation of creative Blackuns, fans, educators, students, illustrators,and writers of all cultures, classes & races.  "Indie today: Black Age Forever!"

Black Age info site.

DuSable Museum