Tako Kuts
Daydream with me... about nostalgic core memories, black safe spaces, and creative collaboration
Picture this,
A silk black cape draped around you, running from your neck to your lap,
Your body rotating from left to right in short bursts in dramatic fashion,
A local radio DJ interrupting the latest dancehall mix with an announcement about a party that night,
The occasional, “What grade you in now? “How’s your grandpa been?”
All accompanied by the voices of men, of all ages, with hot takes on everything sports, music, culture, and politics.
That’s right I’m talking about an early Saturday afternoon at every Black man’s sacred institution—the barbershop.
Barbershops, beyond just a haircut, they are the original social platforms where we like, dislike, comment, and share life with our community.
Don’t just take my word for it…
Meet, Kemp Powers.
Familiar face, no?…
Take a closer look:
He was brought in to work on Pixar’s film, Soul, becoming the studio’s first Black feature director in its 34 years! When it came to finding the correct setting for Joe’s (Soul’s main character) transformation, he intentionally chose a barbershop.
I recently read an interview and here’s what Powers had to say about the process:
Check Out The Full Article Here!
Authentically Black spaces, like a barbershop, are what nurture our communities’ creators, thinkers, movers, and shakers.
My barbershop nurtured me, so it’s only fitting that pour some love back into my creative community…
Meet Terence Ntsako Tako Maluleke.
I have always been inspired by his work, specifically his visual universe in which he creatively used his Instagram page (@takouniverse) as a large continuous canvas years prior to 2020.
When I first saw the “I AND KINFOLK” series, I immediately thought about vintage barbershop posters I’d see when getting my hair cut.
So after daydreaming and putting all the elements together, I created the “Tako Kutz” the barber experience brand:
This project was a fun creative exploration and exercise studying a visual language and what makes it so recognizable. Stay tuned for more daydreaming.
Stunning work!!!💐My favorite authentically Black spaces are beauty supply stores as they feel like another world in itself and record shops whose owners are old heads that cherish the sacredness of music.
Lately, I’ve been daydreaming about my dream of opening a flower shop/ studio someday. How it can be a safe space for my community centering their joy.