Cine Institute founder, David Belle’s film “Naturally Haiti” is a visual parade of color, creativity and ingenuity. Surrounded by the decay and rubble of 2010’s earthquake. Belle searches out and finds creation in the midst of destruction as Haitian artisans take what raw materials are naturally available to transform them into beauty crafts that resonate with the cultural richness of Haiti. As the film opens, Donna Karan searches the island for handcrafted treasure, hitting pay dirt off the beaten track, surrounded by the natural beauty of Haiti and the beautiful faces of its people.
“I’ve visited Haiti so many times since the earthquake and fallen in love with its people and their artistic vision. I’ve seen their passion to be creative and their ingenuity in making beauty from the ordinary and mundane. A cereal box becomes a beautiful beaded necklace. A rusted oil drum transforms into a stunning chandelier. Leafs of tobacco become a sensuous vase. A splash of ink becomes a work of art. A simple stone becomes a heart to be shared with someone you love. I’ve fallen in love with all these artists and their work and now you can too when you visit the Urban Zen stores,” Donna shares.
Join Donna as she collaborates with the artisans of Haiti, sharing design and manufacturing ideas. See the local arts at work making the accessories and house wares currently available at the Urban Zen stores in Greenwich Village and Sag Harbor. Guided by Donna’s commitment to merging commerce with philanthropy, all proceeds from the purchase of Haitian artwork and crafts is donate directly to Urban Zen Foundation so that we can continue to assist in developing and supporting sustainability in the Haitian artisan community.
The Ciné Institute provides Haitian youth with film education and edutainment, technical training, and media related micro enterprise opportunities. They integrate educational film screenings into classrooms of public schools, train aspiring filmmakers in all aspects of production, and develop and produce films of all kinds in partnership with our students and graduates. The Institute also promotes excellence in Haitian cinema domestically and abroad and holds weekly entertainment screenings of films from around the world at its theater.
Related posts:
- RETURN TO HAITI: ART AND SOUL – DAY 5 & 6
- RETURN TO HAITI: ART AND SOUL – DAY 2
- HOPE HELP & RELIEF HAITI / THE STILLER FOUNDATION BENEFIT Honoring SEAN PENN
- HELP HAITI: A COLLABORATION OF VISIONARY PHILANTHROPISTS
- Update from Haiti
