Monte Laster is an American Artist with a long-term engagement in the community of La Cité des 4000 in La Courneuve, perhaps the most socially stigmatized housing project in France.  His creative models reflect his commited approach to creativity through participation.  Laster's art is organized and produced around interventions, which take multiple forms (urban walks, concerts, poetry readings and think tanks) and systematically engage the local communities at different levels.  In 2001, Laster created an association known as FACE (French American Creative Exchange). OBA is Laster’s latest initiative.

Monte Laster in La Courneuve on France Inter (minute 40) in French.

OBA III "Black is Beautiful" is the third volet in the series of OBA projects. This piece will be an on-going project in the same manner as were the first two parts. It will begin with a performance during the french festival "La fête de la musique" on June 20th in La Courneuve, France. The performance will include several jazz musicians from the "Conservatoire Régionale de La Courneuve, Aubervillier" in collaboration with 3 local rappers. 

This project looks at the different musical formes which have emerged fin France due to the impact of black American culture. The "mirroring" of these art formes in France, whether they be jazz, r&b, soul, blues or rap, show the amazing creativity which has grown out of the centuries long struggle for equality in America.

"Thinking Out Loud" Documentary, 2012 (Video still / Eglise Saint-Eustache, Paris)

"Thinking Out Loud" Documentary, 2012 (Video still / The Louvre Museum, Paris) 

"Thinking Out Loud" Documentary, 2012 (Video still / Palais de Tokyo, Paris)

Current Exhibitions:

Monte Laster : Recently showed at Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France "OBA II, The Family of Poets" 4.12-13.2012
Image: Theo.dora / Monte Laster

Insitut Français de la Mode et du Design, Paris "Aqua" 03.28-04.01.2012