Sun Ra was as much philosopher as he was experimental Free Jazz composer, and his principles about race, basically the precedent to Afrofuturism, inspired countless artists and musicians. A new book called Space, Interiors and Exteriors, 1972 traces Ra's influence on painter Ayé Aton, who became famous on the South Side of Chicago for painting large and colorful murals in private home. Through a long series of phone calls, Sun Ra provided Aton with thematic guidance that pushed his imagery towards Egyptian and outer space motifs, occasionally making use of black light paint and installed black lights. Until now, these murals were only viewable to the people who were lucky enough to live in these photos, but the book has lovingly compiled photographs taken in the early '70s. Grab a copy here for a deeper look into this cosmic collaboration.
