Ivor L. Miller Papers: Contents List

Transcripts from first interviews

Transcripts from latest interviews

Draft manuscript of Aerosol Kingdom

Draft manuscript of Aerosol Kingdom, (early proof copy from the University Press of Mississippi).

2nd galley proof of Aerosol Kingdom

Illustrations used in the book

Correspondence relating to Aerosol Kingdom

Offprints of articles

Catalogs of graffiti art exhibits at Sidney Januaryis (110 W 57th Street, New York)

Promotional materials for Aerosol Kingdom: Voices of Original Subway Painters of New York City

Art show catalogs and article

Papers and photos from Iz the Wiz

Graffiti art by Carlos Rodriguez (digital images on 2 CD-ROMs plus contents of both disks on 1 backup CD-ROM; all images printed out on paper)

Email correspondence with DASH, Phase 2, Mico, Ted Sammons, Schmidlapp, TATS Cru, and West, related to my essay "Notes from the Underground" and my Graffiti Entry in Ilan Stavan's Latino Encyclopedia.

Miscellaneous oversize printed matter:
Issue of Vibe magazine with article by Phase 2 about his art form (1994 October);
"Daze & Crash: New Works" (poster, 1990);
"Presentation of New York Subway Graffiti with Slides and Commentary." Speakers: Joel S. Feiner, Stephan Marc Klein (poster, 1975);
"Yale Throw Down" lecture series (flyer, 1990):
"International Get Hip Times", solicitation for advertisements;
"Stoopid Fresh: Queens & Hip-Hop Culture," poster, 1989;
"A Forum on Aerosol Art," presentation of Aerosol Kingdom at DePaul University (flyer, 2003);

Book, The Faith of Graffiti, by Norman Mailer.

Post-Aerosol Kingdom publications

Postcards of exhibitions

James Top: photographs, bio, posters and pictures

Correspondence with Blade (letter + photo)

Correspondence: A-1 (Alan Fleisher)

Correspondence: [PHASE 2, identified by a heart-sign]

Correspondence: Mare 139

Card from Aerosol Kingdom book party at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in NYC, May 2003. Also, email from Rammellzee with his comments on his representation in Aerosol Kingdom.

Cards, advertisements and correspondence from Aerosol Kingdom book party at New York University in NYC, November 2002.

A series of posters, postcards, photographs of artists' shows, painted subway cars from NYC, and images used in the book Aerosol Kingdom [includes two photos of Doze paintings]

Mentions and reviews of Aerosol Kingdom in the LA Times, and a Hip Hop zine.

Copy of a 1975 cartoon by Vaughn Bode in National Lampoon

Copies of handwritten letters from Norman Mailer, Harold Courlander, Archie Green, Sandra Barnes, Rowland Abiodun, Phase 2, Coco 144

Manuscript copy of Ezo's "Urban Expressionism Manifesto"

E-mail correspondence with Afrika Bambaata, Lady Pink, and Cey Adams

Miscellaneous newspaper articles related to graffiti culture

Negatives and Contact sheets of photographs from the book party at NYU. Photographer Gyasi Gillespie.
Roll: 15460: 1-3 David Schmidlapp; 4-5 Schmidlapp & Vulcan; 6-7 Vulcan; 8-12 audience; 13-15 James Topp; 16-18 audience; 19 J. Topp; 20 Daze; 21-22 audience; 23 Duro, Miller, Nic-1, 24-25 Vulcan, 26-30 audience; 31-32 Duro.
Roll 15209: 3 Futura, 4 Lee, 5 Nic & Daze, 6-15 audience; 16 Futura & Daze; 17-18 Futura, Daze, Lee, unknown, Lady Pink, Charlie Ahearn; 19 audience; 20 Futura; 21 Ahearn; 22-23 audience; 24-25 Mantia Diawara; 26-29 C. Daniel Dawson; 31-35 Miller.
Roll 15208: 3-4 Lee; 9 Lady Pink & Phase 2; 17 Futura; 19 Vulcan.
Roll 15462: 14 Tracy 168; 15-16 Futura; 23 Duro; 25 Duro; 27-28 Jill Cutler, Futura & Nic-1.
Roll 15210: 4 Lady Pink; 5 Phase 2 & Daze; 6 Lee, Ahearn & Schmidlapp; 7 Miller; 9-11 Futura.
Roll 15459: 2 Phase 2; 7 Lee; 8 Ahearn; 11 Phase 2; 22 Futura.
Roll 15461: 3-4 Miller & Duro; 5 Ahearn; 8-11 Dawson; 12-13 Miller; 14-19 Ahearn; 35-36 Vulcan.

Aerosol Kingdom release, New York University (poster)

"Creolizing for Survival in the City" by Ivor Miller. Cultural Critique 27, Spring 1994

Crash / bringing it to the massesâ / 1978-2003 - a collection of installations, paintings, and drawings spanning three decades (booklet)

Authorizations for Santería ceremonies during the Cuban RevolutionContains official permission slips from the PNR (Revolutionary National Police). These were applied for by leaders of Santería communities in Cuba in order to hold authorized Santería ceremonies during the Cuban Revolution. I collected these during the course of my dissertation research from people I interviewed.

Contents as described by Ivor Miller in 2003:

1) Permission for a Santería initiation on 17 October. 1987 in Parraga, on the outskirts of Havana, Francisca Lopez Zaldivar being the applicant. [I used her testimony in my article "Religious Symbolism in Cuban Politics", TDR.]

2) Permission for a "religious feast" in October 1989 in Jovallanos, Matanzas, Saturnina Angarica Solar being the applicant. The feast included rum playing, and the sacrifice of goats and rams. [I am writing a book about this family, very famous in Cuban Santería traditions].

3) Permission for a Santería ceremony called Lucumi food for the saint, meaning animal sacrifice, in 15 April 1975, Francisca Lopez Zaldivar being the applicant.

4) Permission for a "traditional feast" in October 1988 in Jovallanos, Matanzas, Saturnina Angarica Solar being the applicant. Note that for the second feast on 23 October, 500 people are expected. I have a video of one of these ceremonies in the collection.

5) Permission for a Santería initiation of two people in July 1987 in Carlos Rojas, Matanzas, Saturnina Angarica Solar being the applicant. The ceremony included the sacrifice of animals with four legs, birds, and drumming.

6) Permission for a "Güiro playing ceremony" on 28 December 1988 in Parraga, on the outskirts of Havana, Francisca Lopez Zaldivar being the applicant. Güiro is a calabash gourd, dried and hollowed, with beads around it for sound. It is a sacred santería instrument mythically associated with Ochún, Yoruba goddess of sweet water, love, beauty.

DePaul University conference organized by I. Miller: "Recreating Africa in the Americas": review

DePaul University conference: "Recreating Africa in the Americas": poster for conference

"No More Carnivals: Cuba's Struggle to survive its economic crisis." Article by Ivor Miller in International Forum at Yale (vol. 12, no. 1).

"Obras de fundación: la Sociedad Abakuá en los años 90." Article by Ivor Miller in Caminos (nos. 13-14, 1999).

"Celina González: Queen of the Punta Cubano." Article by Ivor Miller in The Beat (vol. 13, no. 2).

Two publications featuring interviews by Ivor Miller: (1) "Celina González: Queen of the Punta Cubano," in Lucero, vol. 5, 1994. (2) The Singer as Priestess: Interviews with Celina González and Merceditas Vald©s," in Sounding Off! Music as Subversion/Resistance/Revolution, 1995.

Materials related to Ivor Miller's 2004-2005 trip to Nigeria, accompanied by two Cuban Abakuá:

One copy of MOFINews, published by the Minister of Finance, Cross River State, Nigeria, with a photo of the two Cubans during the Christmas Celebrations, p. 36.

One copy of Insider News, published in Lagos, with an essay citing Ivor Miller, regarding British art historian Keith Nicklin, whose memorial statue was erected at the Oron Museum.

One copy of the Saturday Sun, vol. 2, no. 92, October 16, 2004, with a photo of Ivor Miller as an Ekpe chief. The article is an interview with Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey, journalist, and head of a Calabar lodge that initiated Miller.

One copy of the Weekend Chronicle of Calabar, Saturday, February 26, 2005, announcing the proposed visit of a Cuban Abakua, claiming to be Obong (paramount ruler) of Cuba, p. 1-2.

Four letters from Ivor Miller regarding the trip: to the Governor of Cross River State (March 1 and March 10); the Minister of Culture, Nigeria (March 14); the Head of UNESCO, Nigeria (March 14).

Letter to the Governor of Cross River State reviewing Miller's activities in Nigeria with the two Cubans (January 29, 2005).

Program from the Governor's office, Cross River State, about the Cuban participation on December 20, 2004.

"How I went to Calabar and became an Ekpe Ambassador to the Cuban Abakuá Brotherhood." Article by Ivor Miller in WARA Newsletter (Newsletter of the West African Research Association), Spring 2005.

"Los Ñáñigos, cómo nacieron, su objeto, sus ceremonias" by Domingo Blanco. In: Alrededor del Mundo (Reproduced as two frames on a microfilm strip). Rare article on Abakua, found in the archives of the Auyntamiento de Madrid, Spain.

Typescript (incomplete) of "Histories of Abakuá Society: As Narrated by Cuban Carabali©s to Ivor Miller" by Ivor Miller. ACCESS RESTRICTED

"Jesús P©rez and the Transformation of the Cuban Batá Drum" by Ivor Miller. Dialogo

Photograph of musicians at the Cabaret San Souci, Havana (Jesús P©rez)

"The Formation of African Identities in the Americas: Spiritual 'Ethnicity'" by Ivor Miller. Contours 2:2.

REGI Radio interview: Ivor Miller speaks with host Eugene Godfried on the truth of this African and Cuban movement and its revolutionary role in the process of declining slavery, slave trade, and colonialist domination. MP3 recording on CD; also available through www.regiradio.org.

Pedro Ibañez, administrator of Septeto Habanero

Pedro Ibañez #2. Angelito Puey. "El chino" Puey. Ifa Abakuá.

Vitier, Sergio and Rogelio M - Fure. Live, Vedado, Cuba. Nov 95 master.

"Chacho", leading Santería priest.

Chacho, 'Ochún Funk©' (Santería name). Tape 2

Ortiz, Tereza 'Awo Sede' (Santería name). Dissertation Research. Includes a diloggun (cowrie shell) divination session with Omí Laibo, son of Yemayá.

Rodriguez, Santiago, interview at his house.

Rodriguez, Santiago, at his house with Michael.

Pedrito Ibañez and Juanillo Febles.

Sanchez, Luis (Palo).

Pedroso, Amelia; Cardinas, Ricardo Caraballo

Sanchez, Luis Iglesia (Tape 2)

Gonzalez, Noel and BeJunecal.

Luisa (Jesus Perez); Panchita

Bolivar, Natalia. Cuban folklorist, specialist in African-derived religion.

Cosme/museo de Regla. Sr. Cosme spoke of the history of Regla. Informative, but consider that his main interest is business, not ideas.

Diss. Research. Authoritative Santería leader, claims to have known babalawo who gave Fidel Castro initiation.

Saez, Rejino Jiminez

Yerbero en Havana vieja, Rosa "la yerbera" and then her son in law. During the crisis of the Special Period, many Cubans went to "green medicine" for cures. These are commonly based upon use of herbs derived from African inheritance in Santeria and Palo Monte.

Pedro, Alberto; Fine, Rogelio Martinez

Villamil, Oswaldo (Matanzas, Cuba)

Panchita - Francisca Lopez Zaldivar "Ewilli Mi" (Santeria name), recorded in her home (Parraga, Habana). Tape 1.

Frometa, Hilda (5 minutes). Romeros, Kuky (Chicago). Knew former President F. Batista and his madrina. Romero was part of a Chicago Santeria community with a strong trans-sexual presence. Dissertation research.

Benítez-Rojo, Antonio (Amherst, Mass.). Recollections of Revolutionary leaders and their participation in African-derived spiritual practices. Dissertation research.

Herrera, Evaristo Falcon. Rebel with Fidel. Fought with Casto in the Sierra Maestra.

Pedro, Alberto. Side a: Teatro de Nada. Side b: The creation of the ConJuneto Folklorico Nacional.

Pedro, Alberto. Cuban dramaturge, a descendant of Africans, speaks of religion and theater.

Avila, Pedro Delfin Hernández. History of religious violin. Brindis de Salas, NY mambo.

Sanchez, Maria, and Lazaro Zulueta.

Zaldivar, Francisca Lopez (1993 Aug 11). Tape 2. Maria de los Angeles (La China). Claims to be a descendant of a "Toruba prince" who had Chango made in Cienfuegos. This is a real historical figure.

Febles, Euseria (Juan).

Ortiz, Manuel. Oni Chango. Ahijado de Tata Gaitan; Father of Tere Ortiz; 76 years old. This is a famous character in Havana Santeria ceremonies, known as "Changó platano", because each time he was 'mounted' by Changó, he would dance for hours with a huge branch of green plantains on his head. Ortiz's family is central to Santeria practice in Havana.

Sanchez, Luis and Gustavo Díaz Físs.

Jimenez, Marina Mesa. Widow of Blayo, an important babalawo who greeted the Ooni of Ife in 1987 during his to Havana, and who documented an unpublished history of Ifa in Cuba.

Mariá Teresa Lináres, musicologist

Jimenez, Regino; Jesus Perez, revision of earlier interview.

Roberto Yeyo de Bejucal.

Robaina, Tomas Fernandez. 'Ogun Foyu' is his Santeria name. Son of Ogun. Author and Bibliographer at the National Library.

Fernandez, Tomas. Gays in Santeria.

Daubar, Edmundo. My neighbor in barrio de Colon, director of the Casa de Tango. Carlos Gardel was his 'patron saint.' He had a gift for word play.

Flores, Andres Casanova.

Flores, Andres Casanova. (Tape 3)

Flores, Andres Casanova (June 17). (Tape 4). Flores, Andres Casanova (June 20).

Flores, Andres Casanova. (Tape 5)

Flores, Andres Casanova. (Tape 6)

Flores, Andres Casanova. (Tape 7).

Flores, Andres Casanova. (Tape 8)

Flores, Andres Casanova (in Abakuá).

Flores, Andres Casanova. Prison with Fidel. (August 2). La Muñeca Fabiana (Aug 19). (Tape 2)

Flores, Andres Casanova. Tape in conjunction with 8mm video.

Flores, Andres Casanova (Tape 4). In Abakuá.

Flores, Andres Casanova. (Tape 4)

Flores, Andres Casanova. La China (family of Andres).

Flores, Andres Casanova (Tape 1).

Flores, Andres Casanova (Tape 2).

Flores, Andres Casanova (Tape 1).

Flores, Andres Casanova (Tape 2).

Soto, Andres (Dec 23) (Tape 2). Flores, Andres Casanova (Dec 26) (Tape 3)

Flores, Andres Casanova (Dec 20). Soto, Andres (Dec 21). (Tape 2)

Flores, Andres Casanova.

Soto, Andres Casanova (Tape 1).

Perez, Eduardo Sanchez; Elsa and Kimani Perez Garcia.

Luisa (Tape 1). Oni Yemaya (wife of Jesus Perez) founder of Conjunto Folklórico.

García, Daniel Escudero, on Jesus Perez in Africa.

Rodriguez, Nancy, on Jesus Perez. Corona, Esperanza O.

Luisa (Mar 20) (Tape 2). Rogelio and Isabel (Tape 2), on Jesus Perez. (Mar 21)

Fur©, Rogelio (Mar 18) (Tape 2). Rogelio and Isabel (Mar 21) (Tape 1).

Gonzalez, Noel. (Mar 17). Fuke, Rogelio (Mar 18).

Jímenez, Rejino (Tape 2). History of batá.

Jímenez, Rejino (Tape 3).

Villamil, Oswaldo (Tape 1). Chacha.

Barona, Juan. History of Charangas (Bejucal, Cuba).

Gladys and Gordillo. Yeyo de Bejucal. On their art.

Cordouí, Angel Roberto Puey.

Diaz, Tito. In Abakuá. Equis, Carlos "Quinto" (Chicago).

Villamil, Oswaldo (Tape 1). Cha-Cha. (Mantanza, Cuba).

Vasecouselo, Aristides.

Sede, Awo. Interview with Teresa Ortiz, and her friend Sol. Dissertation research. (Havana)

Iglesia, Luis Sanchez (n.d.) (Tape 1). Mayombero (1994 Jun 19)

Santero, NYC. Recorded in the home of Felipe Villamil in Bronx. Miguel Piaz del Nodal, a santero in NYC, b. 1926, remembers white Cubans who secretly believed in the African-derived traditions of Cuba. Appears not to have been transcribed.

Alsar, Juan Carlos. Día de Elegua. Sr. Alsar is a painter focused on Cuban spiritual themes. He migrated to Miami in the 1990s (Havana).

Gonzalez, Eladio "El Chino." Recorded in his Chicago apartment. An artist, known for his bronze sculptures, originally from Matanzas.

Namer, Janet. "Obba ylory" (Santeria name). A "daughter" of Changó, Janet grew up in Havana, and always wanted a sex change, which is not done in Cuba. Only after migration to the USA, and after receiving Permission through divination with Changó, was Janet allowed to have the operation.

Namer, Janet (Chicago).

Hans, Pedro "Obeyona" (Havana).

Díaz, Pedro. Father of my former wife. Died in 2002, Tampa Fla. Of Puerto Rican heritage, lived in Guantanamo, Cuba all his life until migrating to the USA in the 1990s. Speaks about the rebel tradition in Oriente, Cuba.

Febles, Juan (Tape 2).

Peñalber, Luis and Alfredo. (Miami)

Leon, Rosa Diaz. Rosa "la yerbera" of old Havana, speaks of herbal practices and African spirituality (1993 Aug 1). Zoila Lapique Becali. Musicologist with important publications (1993 Aug 6).

Jimenez, Olga Susana Moret - la Tamalera. Olga is a legendary figure in Havana, because of a song about her called "olga la tamalera" (1993 Aug 18). She is a priestess of Oya, and speaks of her ancestry. (Years later, I learned that another woman, claiming to be the "real" Olga la tamalera, lives in barrio de Atares.) Diaz, Pedro (1993 Aug 20).

Argudín, Reinaldo Blayó. (Havana)

Ofarri, Filiberto and Fran "Obeche" Cabrera (Tape 1).

Robelio "Yeyo" (Bejucal).

Alfredo "Chocolate" (NYC).

Rivarta, Teresa Aredondo 91996 May 2). Mora, Francisco Hernandez "Panchu Quinto" (1996 May 9).

Johnson, Enrique Sosa. "Ago Sede" Santería name. Padrino of Natalia Bolivar. (Havana)

Johnson, Enrique Sosa (Tape 2). Mosquera, Gerardo (n.d.). Leading Cuban art critic, speaks of African influence in Cuban art.

Villamil, Oswaldo (Tape 1). Matanzas Family Lineage.

Villamil, Oswaldo (Tape 2).

Angarica, Eulalia T. From Carlos Rojas, Matanzas Province, from the known Angarica family. 82 years old. Lives in Havana.

Maria de Los Angeles.

Iglesia, Luis Sanchez (Tape 3).

Sanchez, Eduardo and Paloma, spoke of Celia Sanchez, revolutionary leader, of whom both were adopted children. Dissertation research.

Sanchez, Eduardo and Paloma. Paloma Vissot Cuevas, santera. Eduardo Sanchez Perez. Dissertation research.

Granados, Dr. Alvaro H. Castellanos and Dr. Julio V. Casa Viqueira. Two doctors who spoke about current use of green medicine in response to economic crisis. Alvaro was from Colombia and in Cuba from training.

Gabey, Sergio. Family doctor of my wife's barrio.

Gonzalez, Celina (Tape 1). Interview at her house, La Lisa, Habana, Cuba.

Maria de Los Angeles Sierra (La China) (Tape 2). The Yoruba King, ancestor of Omikaubo.

Riaño, Caridad "Omo Elegua" (1993 Jan 18). Martinez, Michel Angel (1993 Mar 17). 60 years old. First interviews, conducted with members of my Lukumi Il© in Havana.

Irakere Gala (Rap group). Karl Marx Theater. Orchestra Aragon. Carnival Rhythm. Ochun, Guiro (Havana, 1991 Aug 8).Aldama, Richardo. Batalero, with the sons of Jesus Perez. (n.d.) Sintesis en vivo. Karl Marx theater (1991 Aug 8).

Music for Ochún. Cumpleaños of seating of Ochun for Caridad, a santera in Luyano, Havana. Two violins, conga, guitar, voice. Elegba, instrumental, ochun, Yemaya, bolero, shango. (Havana).

Las Aguilas Yorubas. Ceremonial group with Juan Febles.

Las Aguilas Yorubas. Barrio Puentes Grandes, Havana. Violin for Obatala, birthday of Nena. Pablo Aguila (violin, Director), Felipe Oliva (violin), Pedro Ibañez (guitar), Jorge Eliezer Perdomo (tumbadora), Jorge Febles (guiro), Alfredo Saint-Ives Morgan (soloist).

Creole songs, to Ochun and Chango.

The children of Jesus Perez. Tambor Havana presentation to the Tambors. Original.

Yoruba and Palo, songs for a santera. Marcimina Fresneda and Serapido Collado, songs of Lucumi and Palo. Elegua, Ochun, Aganyu. (Parraga, Havana, 1991 Mar 6). Lazaro Ros in concert with Natalia Bolivar. Birthday of Leandro Alvarey Boza. (Regla, Havana, 1991 Mar 8).

Fantoma, Julio Suarez (singer). Toque santo for Elegba. Chacha - batalero (Matanzas, Cuba, 1991 Mar 10). Muñequitos (little dolls) de Matanzas. In concert for tourists. Abakua; my friend Julian. Played for Elegba. Samba/Rumba. (Varadero, Cuba, 1991 Mar 11)

Chacha, Yoruba songs in Matanzas (1991 Mar 11). Chacha speaks and sings in Yoruba to Rowland Abiodun and sings to Ochun, Ogun, Egun in the memory of painter Juan Boza. Muñequitos (little dolls) of Matanzas. (Guaguancó, Colombia, 1991 Mar 12)

Wemilere, Lucumí (Tape 2). Ochun, Yemaya, Chango, Ogun, Oya, Yemaya. (Vedado, Havana)

Wemilere, Lucumi (Tape 1). Toque para Ochun. Presenting Yabos (iyawos) to the bata drums. Ceremony by the prima de los Jimaguas, the Ortiz family (Teresa Ortiz).

Orchestra Aragon. Muñequitos de Matanzas. In concert, side B has better sound.

Hijos de Jesus Perez original. Havana vieja original. Toque, Para Elegua

Valdes, Chucho. Visit to the Bronx. Chocolate on trumpet.

Charranga Habanera (master tapes #2). A popular music group that was banned for many months in the 1990s due to lyrics related to drugs and other illicit activities.

Irakere con invitados, en vivo! Teatro America (Havana). Irakere, Paulito y su elite. The girls of Chucho. Adalberto and his son. Maria Caridad Valdes with Irakere (Chuchu's sister). Charranga Habanera.

Villamil, Felipe (Tape 1). Toque Palo. Day after a Palo Monte initiation ceremony. (Bronx, NY)

Villiamil, Felipe (Tape 2). Toque Palo.

Cuban Radio Programs. Radio Reloj. Radio Rebelde. Dia de Sta. Barbara. Radio Marti. A sampling of radio programs.

Chachao and chocolate. At S.O.B.'s in Manhattan. Last set.

Chocolate, with los Majaderos. With Daniel Ponce and Felix.

Tambor, Angarica. Carlos Rojas, Matanzas.

Los Pleneros de la 21. Los rumberos of New Cork. With Francisco 'Minini' Zamorra of AfroCuba of Matanzas. (New York City)

Abimbola, Wande. Ifa in Cuba.

Abimbola, Wande Aña.

Abimbola, Wande. (2 tapes)

Abimbola, Wande (Vassar College).

Peñalver. A journalist with Fidel Castro in Harlem and with Fidel and the Ooni of Ife in Cuba, 1987.

Covarrubias, Grisel Arandia. A radio journalist. Later organized a conference on the Race war of 1912.

Cosme. Director of the Museo de Regla

Felix Gomez Suarez. Oluo (babalawo), friend of Panchita. Mario de la Caridad Fernandez. Palero, friend and godchild of Felix.

Cuevas, Carlos. Oni Yemaya. Spoke of gays, trans-sexuals and babalawos. (Miami)

Padre Varela. Regla. Spoke of Celia Sanchez.

Aristides. A babalawo in Havana.

Arozarena, Elsa. A priestess of Chango who lived in Australia and brought Santeria practice there.

Arozarena, Elsa. "Oba Yomi" La Corona Viene a Mi. Her name in Santo.