A Conversation with Delphine Fawundu Buford

With a list of career credits that would make any aspiring photographer envious Delphine Fawundu-Buford is a highly respected veteran in the game who despite her work for some of the top names and brands in pop culture remains as humble and quietly ambitious as they come. SocietyHAE sits down with Delphine to chat it up about art, Brooklyn’s gentrification and how it all comes crashing together in her latest project TIVOLI: A Place We Call Home.

In interview with Delphine Fawundu-Buford as told to n’dada vaz

I worked along with Scott Brathwaite and Nimrod Clouden to produce this project. This is a special film for us because we are all emotionally and physically attached to the subject matter. We grew up in Tivoli, these are my brothers - I've known them forever. This work comes from love so the process is simply organic. The film is shot almost entirely on the grounds of Tivoli Towers which is located in Crown Heights Brooklyn. We are the tallest tower on our side of BK.

We often hear about people being pushed out of their homes, or "working class" people, but, who are these people? Our community at Tivoli Towers reflects many communities in NYC, around the nation and the globe. Here is a story (my story, your story) that has much to do with the everyday working class person whose human rights are taken for granted. This film also breaks negative stereotypes often associated with certain homogenous communities in terms of race and class. Although some of these communites are targeted and fall victim to social ills due to red lining (purposeful disinvestment), these are real people being affected. Real humans, with hopes, ambition, talent, and intellect live in our communities.

Any advice for artist on the come up?

Stay in tuned with your vision. Be prepared to articulate your vision at all times. Remember it is your vision, devote an enormous amount of time and energy to bring it to light. Do it for your universal self - anything is possible. Lastly, one cannot complain about biased/lack of media representation without putting another perspective out there. I charge myself with the responsibility to consistently create a humane representation of my people, the people of the world. I have to, this is my calling.

Check out Tivoli: A Place We Call Home when it debuts at the Brooklyn Historical Society on February 11th!

For kicks we asked Delphine the 10 Famous Questions from 'Inside The Actors Studio"

We call this segment "Inside the Indie Artist' Cypher"

What is your favorite hip hop quote able?

Wow that's a hard one...I am a big hip-hop head! But here is the first one that came to mind, "(Who am I?) I am the poetical pastor Slave to a label but I own my masters, Still get it poppin' without artist & repertoire, Cause march is a monarch only minus the A&R... I love it.. Pharoahe Monch's Desire.

What is your least favorite slang word?

"My nigga." I work with young people everyday- I hear teens having a conversation and it could be about anything - I'll hear that phrase at least 10 times in two sentences. It's used in a redundant manner as "like." It almost sounds like a bad program! Poor young ones, they are trying so hard to be cool - but it hinders articulation. I mean the phrase is used and it has nothing to do with the conversation

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What turns you on?

New learning experiences, like minded and wise people, and the art of life.

What turns you off?

Ignorance

What sound or noise do you love?

A three month old trying to have a conversation, kofi's humming, che's witty responses, and amal's critical analysis of something he just read. Kofi is my 5 year old, Che is my 9 year old and Amal is my 12 year old.

What sound or noise do you hate?

annoying, racist political rhetoric

What is your favorite curse word?

I rarely use them but "awwwwwe shiiiiiiiiiiit"....only when it's said like that.

What profession other than being a filmmaker/photograher would you like to attempt?

I plan to bring my knowledge into the world of academia - expound on it - grow and obtain a ph.D

What profession would you NEVER ever want to do?

I recently read about human fecal composts - I would never want to work there!

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive

at the Pearly Gates?

I would have so many questions and God would say, "I am always with you because I am you - job well done"

bonus question - What's next for You?

I plan to make the Tivoli project travel to different venues. I will definetly be working with my creative crew on another project. I have a photographic series tentatively titled, "In a Time of Change" dealing with the dilemnna of black malehood in America. It is a very thought provoking, symbolic series that I leave open to viewer interpretation and dialogue. The purpose is to talk about change in America on a very deep socio-political level. I'm very excited about this project and cannot wait to share it next year. I am also working on a project dealing with African identity - I am very passionate about both - more to come soon.