Kendra Durand

Turiya: a Collection of Wordizms Kendra Durand

TURIYA: A Collection of Wordizms is a work of art that mixes media in the written and visual form. Turiya is the 4th and highest level of human consciousness one can obtain. When you reach Turiya you have the ability to take an ideal for it's true value without attaching it to anything else. The ideal stands alone. It is a state of pure consciousness. TURIYA: A Collection of Wordizms makes a statement about just how far we have come as a community of color in America. Each page of this book was carefully constructed to illustrate the writer's perspective. The book has two sections 1. Heads of Lettuce Speak: short stories 2. Ears of Corn Hear This: poetry. The poems are universal and deal with issues that all human beings face despite their origins. The artwork for each section cover page uses Adinkra symbols that have powerful meanings. There are also photos and sketches included throughout the book. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Two of the sketches in particular may be thought controversial. That's why they are in the book! For example, did you know that what we know as the swastika was the original form of the cross preceding the ankh?The five short stories in this work of art deal with issues people of color in America have faced as backlash against resistance to change i.e. light skin vs. dark skin, home ownership vs. renters, gentrification vs. affordable housing, and colorful language. What is important here is to remember the historical value of challenges people of color have faced in our uphill battle for equality. You know, racy topics that have divided communities for centuries in the past. None of those sentiments continue today. Right?