"Biggie Than Barbie" to screen at Artstream

[From our friends at Artstream in Rochester, NH.]

South African documentary Bigger Than Barbie to screen at Artstream in Rochester, NH.

In lieu of our annual short film festival, Filmstream, we are screening this important documentary about post Apartheid South Africa.

Immediately followed by sale of South African beadwork and artisan jewelry -

Art Aids Art presents a screening of the newly released documentary Bigger than Barbie, featuring the 450 female artists of Monkeybiz Bead Project, one of the greatest success stories in post-Apartheid South Africa. The screening will take place at artstream, 56 North Main Street, Rochester, NH on November 3, 2007 at 7 p.m.

Shot primarily in Cape Town and surrounding impoverished townships, Bigger than Barbie follows the experiences of women working to overcome extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS through contemporary art. Their unique reinterpretation of traditional beading has created a sensation at exhibits around the world, selling out in hours at renowned venues including Sotheby’s of London. The film includes appearances from Monkeybiz enthusiasts designer Donna Karan, singer Annie Lennox, and Nobel Peace Prize Winners Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela.

Norwegian Producer/Director Tina Jackson spent 5 years making Bigger Than Barbie. After being captivated by a beaded doll she received as a gift, Jackson went on a quest to learn about the doll’s origins, which led her to Monkeybiz and fueled her passion to share their story with the world.

An art sale featuring beaded dolls and animals by Monkeybiz, along with a wide variety of South African artisan jewelry and wearable art, immediately follows the screening. Proceeds will support the construction of eKhaya eKazi (Home in the ’Hood), a multipurpose community center in Khayelitsha Township, where the majority of Monkeybiz artists live.

Art Aids Art, a nonprofit organization promoting education and sustainable economic development through the arts, leads annual service-learning trips to South Africa, engaging American professionals and students in projects at AIDS Clinics, women’s collectives and schools.

Doors open at 6 p.m.to purchase tickets and preview the art sale. Suggested donations: $5 For more information, contact 603.330.0333 or visit http://www.artstreamstudios.com.