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Catinca Tabacaru Gallery Collective

OFF BLACK

Jasminfire

4 July  —  30 August 2020 +


Jasminfire
OFF BLACK, 2020, short film, 4:50 min

OFF BLACK
is a short film about
things that need to change
and things that led us to this point.

OFF BLACK portrays an emotional dance of meta-reality told through authentic perspectives of recent protests sparked by the unlawful killings of Black Americans by the police, and the violent persecution and lack of protection of the Trans Community in their daily lives. With the help of Zoë Wolkoff’s ability to blend moving paintings with video, the film is narrated through the poetic lyrics and distorted violin composition produced, performed, and recorded by Jasminfire.

As serious as the message reads, OFF BLACK is laced with humor and hope. It is inspired by the Black content creators who call attention to the absurdity of life through their creating and sharing memes, comedy skits, and other forms of artistic expression in reaction to the times.

The film—named after the calamity surrounding a designer’s controversial and petty response to such protests—tells the story (almost chronologically) of millennials’ ability to organize and document the immense impact of today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Fueled by the viral content engine that is social media, millennials are able to force lawmakers to see their administrative logic and capitalist greed for what it has become: terrifying and narrow-minded. 

Everything from this video was sourced directly from Twitter in an effort to demonstrate the duality of such real-time platforms. Platforms which give light to the violent effects of police brutality while simultaneously offer healing therapy via meme culture. 

Collaborators include: Zoe Wolkoff (video), David Plowman (sound design)
Created with the support of Catinca Tabacaru Gallery

#blacklivesmatter
#translivesmatter
#blackdisabledlivesmatter
#allblacklivesmatter