TORRENTS Art in Transit 23/24

Digital Exhibition

November 9th 2023 - March 30th, 2024

A partnership between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, CulturalDC, and Good Black Art

This exhibition is part of TORRENTS: New Links to Black Futures

A partnership between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, CulturalDC, and Good Black Art and curated by Jamal Gray and Phillip Collins, the Art in Transit Exhibition will explore the concept of the expansiveness of Black creativity through the lens of technology. Taking place in metro stations across the Nation’s capital, Black emerging artists from across the country will share how they utilize technology to advance the collective exploration of the human condition, through mediums ranging from digital to AI, to film, motion graphics, gaming, photography, music, performance and many other mediums that are often left out of the art ecosystem due to lack of commercial viability. These forms of expressions are central to the Black experience in that they help shape our innovation, creativity and unique processes in telling our stories authentically. This exhibition investigates how our ability to innovate continues to expand our imagination, reconstruct our environment and build new social connections.

Celebrate Black innovation with us on your daily commutes until March 30th, 2024.

The exhibition will be on view at the Farragut North, NoMa-Gallaudet U, Gallery Place - Chinatown, L'Enfant Plaza, Rosslyn, and Metro Center stations as well as 1140 Connecticut Ave NW, a Brookfield Property in the heart of Golden Triangle BID.

Curatorial Statement by Phillip Collins, Founder of Good Black Art

Black creativity is rooted in the Black experience. It touches every part of our lives. As we continue to find new ways of communicating with one another, how will technology shape the future of our imagination, our environments and our social connections?

According to a study by Nielsen, African-American Millennials are trailblazers when it comes to adopting new technologies. The study indicates that 70% of African-American Millennials are fascinated by new technology, and are more likely than other Millennials to try new technology products. Our strong connection to technology didn’t just start with Black folks born after 1981. Black people have pioneered technology for generations. Computer scientist Clarence Ellis, mathematician Dorothy Vaughan, inventor Marie Van Brittan Brown, “Godfather of Silicon Valley” Roy Clay Sr. and many others reimagined our future with curiosity and creativity, making innovation a core component of the Black experience. 

With the ability to create and master all forms of technology, Black people are in a unique place in history. Today, we can own our narratives through many mediums. We can amplify our stories in ways our predecessors did not have access to. We are no longer  “hidden figures.” While our ancestors' creativity laid a strong foundation for us to thrive, the ingenuity we possess today will continue to move our culture forward. This pivotal moment of defining Black futures presents our greatest opportunity yet. 

Brittany Moná

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

Guidance, 2023

Artist Statement:

Combining elements of neo-expressionism, graffiti, and African art, I create abstract mixed-media images, sculptures, and collages of the Black diaspora to celebrate, uplift, and communicate complex emotions of Blackness. My practice is rooted in expressing communal and transformative experiences of Black Americans with an emphasis on ancestral practices and lineages. Using a variety of mediums such as photography, clay, spray paint, wood, digital art, and acrylics, I redefine people, objects, scenery, feelings, and statements, allowing room for multiple perspectives. I use patterns, lines, shapes, and symbols throughout my pieces to pay homage to my ancestors, reproducing familiar visual and aural signs and arranging them in new conceptually layered installations.

Created from a home studio, my work navigates and encourages Black liberation through visual depictions and influences of Black culture, community, sustainability, joy and expression. Serving as a reminder of the many ways that activism, culture, and joy can coexist, I create art that is bold in color and complex in shape and style, to stand out as an extension of the community members it reflects. My work encourages reflection and inspires change.

BIO:

Brittany Moná (Moh-Nay) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Maryland, working across mixed mediums such as clays, acrylics, photography, digital art, and wood. Growing up, Brittany was exposed to intergenerational cultures, African folktales, spirituality, art, and community, all of which are commonly reflected throughout her art today. Precedent times allowed Brittany to further explore artistic mediums.

Combining elements of neo-expressionism, graffiti, and African art, Brittany creates abstract images and figures of the Black diaspora to celebrate, uplift, and communicate complex emotions of Blackness and its intersectionality. Her practice is rooted in expressing communal and transformative experiences of Black Americans with an emphasis on ancestral practices and lineages.

Some of Brittany's influences include Basquiat, Ama Thomas, Thomas Jackson, Frank Stewart, Dada Khanysia, and Blu Murphy. These artists inspire Brittany to think critically of ways to create emphasis within or around the subject by using a range of mediums and techniques.

Brittany's work has been in group exhibitions at the Smithsonian Castle, Dupont Underground., Hera Hub D.C., and Rhizome D.C. Future exhibitions include The Phillips Collection: Digital Intersections series.

Jordan Brown

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

Transformerz, 2022

Created and Animated by Jordan Brown

Video Concept and Direction by Arianna "Kala" Brame

Artist Statement:

The "Transformerz" music video is a collaboration between musician Kala and the Lost Tribe (@kalaandthelosttribe) and visual artist Jordan Brown (@jupiter.brown). In our pandemic-era virtual process (Kala is based in Brooklyn and I was living in Montreal at the time), we spoke about returning to land and remembering our Afro-indigeneity, and our weekly talks became an experiment in dreaming up our past-future selves. What emerged was a kaleidoscopic journey through multiple dreamscapes, eventually taking to the sky to find a new planet-home.

BIO:

Jordan Brown (b. 1996, Silver Spring, MD) is a visual artist based in Chicago, IL. Born and raised in the DC-metropolitan area, he graduated with an MA in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. His interdisciplinary practice in sculpture, textile, video and collage assembles personal mythologies from found objects, with current exhibitions in Chicago, IL (Roots and Culture Contemporary Art Center) and Rome, Italy (Gallery T293). He is a

2023-2024 In-Session Fellow with Threewalls NFP (Chicago, IL) and a current participant of the Creative Residency for Black Puppeteers at Puppet Showplace Theatre (Brookline, MA). He is one-fourth of the Chicago-based Black performance art collective Suspended Culture.

Karla Bussey

Goodwiggle Studios LLC

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

Break free, 2023

Artist Statement:

Break Free is a looping animation that conveys the concept of breaking free in one's mind when one is unable to break free physically. It is a depiction of the average person who is trying to escape reality (typically through consumable content like music, books, or video). It is my goal to empower the viewer with the idea that one can completely free themselves with the power of their mind.

Bio:

I am Karla Bussey, a motion graphics animator, born in Kansas City, MO, and currently based in Bowie, MD. With over two decades of experience in the creative field, I am the founder of Goodwiggle Studios LLC.

Having taught at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and presently at Bowie State University, my passion lies in bridging art and technology. My work is inspired by a diverse array of visionaries such as Ernest Barnes, Leonardo Da Vinci, Marcel Duchamp, Shepard Fairey, MK12, and Ordinary Folk.

Using motion graphics. I strive to tell stories that authentically capture the mi faceted narratives of the Black experience. My aim is to create content that engages and empowers Black audiences, presenting a visual language that reflects the richness, challenges, and triumphs of our collective history and present realities.

Through innovative storytelling and creative exploration, my passion lies in bridging technology and art to shed light on untold stories, celebrating the cultural vibrancy and complexities of the Black journey.

Sydney Buffalow

Cr8tion Rebel

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

Moon Mama, 2023

Moon Mama, 2023

Grief, 2023

Artist Statement:

As a sustainable artist, I am driven by a deep connection to materials and design processes that transcend the ordinary. I have a passion for materials and design processes that evoke the emotions and feelings associated with transformation, rebirth, and sustainability.

One of my recent artistic endeavors is the "MOON MAMA" digital collage series. In this collection, I incorporate African wax fabric and vintage African photos of women into a lunar and celestial narrative. These pieces represent a harmonious fusion of tradition, culture, and cosmic wonder, inviting viewers to explore themes of rebirth and transformation.

Embracing the cutting-edge possibilities of our digital age, I have also ventured into the realm of artificial intelligence. With Al as my collaborator, I delve into the uncharted territories of creative expression. Through Al-powered algorithms, I push the boundaries of my artwork, exploring new dimensions of color, form, and style. The synergy between human creativity and artificial intelligence yields artwork that challenges preconceptions and invites viewers to question the very essence of art itself.

Sustainability remains a cornerstone of my artistic journey, where traditional craftsmanship converges with the digital frontier. I continue to find inspiration in repurposed materials, giving discarded furniture and functional items a renewed sense of purpose. Vintage National Geographic magazines and recycled plastic serve as both the physical and digital canvas for my imaginative endeavors. These materials are transformed through meticulous collage work, painting, and resin sealing, seamlessly blending analog and digital techniques. Subsequently, in the digital realm, I further manipulate and enhance these creations. Through digital art tools, I refine colors, experiment with textures, and infuse additional layers of meaning. The result is a fusion of the tangible and the virtual, creating pieces that are not only decorative and expressive but also environmentally responsible, and shareable in the digital realm for a wider audience to appreciate and engage with.

My artistic methods are characterized by their transformative nature. I take pride in breathing new life into objects and items, infusing them with fresh stories of renewal and purpose. At the heart of my artistic philosophy is the belief that everything present in our world has a purpose, and just because an item has lost its function does not mean it has lost its purpose.

Drawing from my background in ceramics, sculpture, and textiles, my creative toolbox is versatile, enabling me to explore diverse avenues of artistic expression.

While I am recognized for my functional sculptures and collages, my journey extends beyond the canvas. I actively engage in creating murals and collaborative brainstorming sessions with local artists, contributing to projects around the city. Together, we beautify the landscape of Washington, DC, infusing it with the energy of our collective creativity.

In a world where sustainability, innovation, and art converge, I am committed to inspiring emotions and feelings associated with transformation, rebirth, and sustainability. Through my work, I invite you to witness the union of human imagination and artificial intelligence, to explor the hidden purpose in the everyday, and to join me on a journey of artistic exploration that transcends boundaries and redefines the possibilities of creativity.

BIO:

Sydney Buffalow is Corcoran College of Art and Design graduate and accomplished female artist based in Washington, DC, who is passionate about sustainable art. With a background in ceramics, sculpture, and textiles, Sydney's work is characterized by her transformative techniques that give new life to discarded items and materials. Inspired by the emotions and feelings associated with women, transformation, rebirth, and sustainability, Sydney creates unique pieces that are both decorative and expressive.

jET CARTER

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

Rhonda Arose, 2023

Artist Statement:

Rhonda, nestled in a floral landscape, blends captured footage with hand-drawn colored pencil atop a 3D animation enhanced by AI technology. Through this piece, I aim to transcend the notion of robotic AI artistry by employing AI as a collaborative tool with traditional hand-drawn artwork.

BIO:

Jermaine "jET" Carter, hailing from southeast Washington, D.C., embarked on his artistic journey at the age of 6, drawing inspiration from cartoons of the 90s and early 2000s. His creativity sparked while tracing TV screen projections to capture what he saw through the screens.

A 2016 graduate of Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Jermaine embraced a typo, "Jetmaine," from a friend's text, giving birth to his art persona "jET." His pursuit of artistic growth guided him to The Cooper Union, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts. This education granted him an interdisciplinary perspective, liberating him from creative constraints. By melding animation, motion graphics, sculpture, and digital fabrication, jET crafted the expansive "jETCO" visual universe. “jETCO,” is an imagined, alternate universe inhabited by caricatures, metaphors, and allegories that is a direct reflection of jET’s perception of the society infused with his artistic practice. Through nonlinear storytelling and narrative collage, he maps out the jETCO world, a dramatized amalgamation of everyday absurdities and horror—those that exist particularly within the precarious social and political space Black Americans occupy.

Much of jET’s recent work involves creating vignettes through drawing and painting, illustrating various narratives about power, peace, struggle, and absurdities of daily life, juxtaposed with the cartoon influences he grew up watching. He feels comfortable using cartoons in his works to disarm the viewer at first glance.

jET inserts himself into the world as a character named jETTi who serves as hisavatar, wanting nothing more than to paint pictures and document the world around him. Other characters that reside within jETCO include JAMAL: a black police officer and very tragic character who is losing hold of his humanity within the commodity of other JAMAL’s. Then there is Rhonda, a little black girl and carrier of light that illuminates an otherwise dreary world plagued by late capitalism.

To solidify these creations, jETCO often handcrafts paper using diverse materials like bills, receipts, baseball cards, recycled drawings, and even Pokémon cards. Blending these materials with watercolor paper, sifting through a screen and allowing the paper to dry, forms a definitive foundation that adds texture and context to the narratives. This process yields a tangible, textured base for the world of jETCO, enhancing the illustrated stories and giving them more context. Once a narrative comes to mind, the jETCO paper is treated with passes of colored pencil and sometimes watercolor. In his belief, these additions to the drawing's foundations provide crucial support to the narratives he portrays.

Kameo Chambers

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

Aurora, 2023

Artist Statement:

As a curious and intuitive artist, my creative journey is an exploration fueled by a love for travel and a constant desire to experiment. For me, art is a spiritual odyssey, a pathway where I craft my own reality through mixed media technology. In my artistic process, spontaneity is key. I draw inspiration from the world around me, creating first and allowing meaning to reveal itself in the end.

Working predominantly in abstraction, I let color, patterns, and rhythm guide my hands, allowing the design to unfold and weave its own narrative. My focus revolves around unraveling rich histories ingrained within diverse cultures and communities. Through abstraction, I strive to express my fascination with the unseen, utilizing a variety of mediums to explore recurring themes of black identity, distortion, genealogy, and preservation, inviting viewers to connect viscerally, and contemplate the layers of history beneath the surface.

My ultimate goal is to make dynamic public art with mixed media technology. None of my creations are static; each piece is a living, breathing entity that invites engagement and interaction. These pieces, animated and meditative, are not static. They invite the audience to engage, reflect, and participate in the narrative.

BIO:

Kameo Chambers is a Jamaican American artist, writer, and curator from Philadelphia, PA. Her art practice has a strong emphasis on experiment-based research and transmedia exploration. She earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Arts from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023. She is currently an Electronic Integrated Arts MFA candidate at Alfred University and holds studio practice in New York. She has exhibited internationally, in Stockholm, Sweden notably at the Kungliga Musikhögskolan (Royal College of Music) in 2022. She is the recipient of numerous distinctions and grants, including the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh and First Place with Special Merit from the American Scholastic Press Association (2021-2022). She has also taken part in solo and group exhibitions within Pennsylvania at the Andy Warhol Museum, and the University of Pittsburgh. Her mural "The Silver Lining" is a public collection of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Bri Pippens

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

LEAN ON ME, 2023

Artist Statement:

“Lean on Me" is a captivating digital illustration that celebrates the strength of community connection and support. In this piece, minimalist figures stand boldly against a vibrant background, symbolizing the diverse individuals who come together to uplift one another. The simplicity of the figures reflects the essence of unity, emphasizing the power of leaning on one another for strength and encouragement.

Through its vibrant palette and minimalist design, the artwork captures the beauty of shared strength and the importance of communal support in our journey through life.

BIO:

Brianna Pippens, the visionary Visual and Performing Artist known in creative circles as "Banana Peppers," currently based in Silver Spring, MD. Her artistic journey is a vibrant tapestry that weaves together illustrations, paintings, pencil drawings, animations, and a diverse array of creative works. Within this kaleidoscope of artistic expression, Brianna delves deep into the intricate facets of race, nostalgia, and the nuanced experiences of black identity. Self-expression and self-exploration stand at the core of Brianna's artistic philosophy. Her portfolio is a testament to her versatility, ranging from thought-provoking stylized portraits that stir contemplation to minimalist pieces that speak volumes in their simplicity. As a self-taught visual artist, Brianna embarked on her public artistic odyssey in 2010, steadily carving her niche in the creative landscape. The roots of Brianna's creative expression trace back to her formative years, where a profound love for her heritage and exposure to spaces celebrating Black art and experiences shaped her artistic sensibilities. Thanks to the influence of her parents, Brianna's art became a vehicle for exploring and celebrating the richness of Black identity. Brianna is not only a visual artist but also a proud alumna of St. John's University in Queens, NY, having earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her academic journey has enriched her artistic perspective, providing a foundation that blends theoretical depth with creative ingenuity.

In addition to her visual artistry, Brianna is a multifaceted artist, weaving the threads of her creativity into the realms of music and dance. As a singer and dancer, she infuses her performances with the same passion and authenticity that characterize her visual art. The synergy of these artistic expressions creates a harmonious narrative that resonates with audiences on multiple levels. Brianna has brought her compelling art to the public eye through pop-up events and local galleries in the DMV area. Beyond traditional art spaces, her visuals have found a home in the realms of both small and large organizations, resonating with diverse audiences. Her work isn't confined to gallery walls; it has found its way into the homes of many, creating a personal connection with those who encounter it. A dynamic force in the art scene, Brianna is continually challenging herself to evolve artistically. With each creation, she seeks toimpact others positively and intentionally. Her art is a reflection of her heart, a genuine expression that transcends mediums and invites viewers to join her in exploring the intricacies of identity and the human experience.

Abieyuwa Eigbobo 

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

OMI, 2023

Artist Statement:

As a multidisciplinary artist, my work delves into the complexities of being a Black woman in contemporary society. Through the use of technology, I strive to create thought-provoking pieces that explore themes such as colorism, cultural pride, and mental health. My artwork is deeply rooted in my Esan & Igbo culture, and it is important to me to represent the narratives and lived experiences of Black women. 

Throughout my artistic journey, I have been driven by the need to address the historical marginalization of Black women. It is my aim to showcase the resilience and beauty of Black women, while challenging the societal norms and restrictions that have been placed on us. Through my artwork, I seek to empower Black women to define our own standards of beauty and demand the rights and lives we deserve. 

In recent years, I have experimented with blockchain technology and have begun minting my artwork as non-fungible tokens. I believe this to be a way for myself and my culture to receive proper credit and compensation in the future. My most recent projects have explored the intersection of fashion and graphic design, using vintage and retro hairstyles and makeup as a starting point. In these works, I celebrate Black beauty and also pay homage to women in my family. 

As I continue my artistic journey, I plan to delve deeper into the expression of emotions such as anxiety, depression, and grief. Through various mediums such as creative coding and installation art, I hope to bring to light the reality that Black women, like everyone else, face issues with mental health. By being vulnerable and exploring these darker themes, I hope to open up conversations around mental health and create a space where Black women can feel seen and heard. 

I believe that this exploration of darker themes through my art will also be therapeutic for me. It will allow me to process and make sense of my own emotions, while also providing a creative outlet to express myself. I hope that by sharing my journey through my artwork, I can help others who may be experiencing similar challenges. 

BIO:

Abieyuwa Eigbobo is a Nigerian-American multidisciplinary artist and curator, who experiments with technology to explore the experience of being a Black woman in contemporary society. She works with a variety of applications and media including, but not limited to, photography, digital and analog video, and 3D modeling. She began minting NFTs in February of 2021. Her art has been showcased internationally in Art Dubai, the SCOPE International Contemporary Art Show, Elevate Festival and more. Abieyuwa recently curated the “Paradise” exhibition, an exhibition featuring 22 Black women in celebration of Women’s History month.  The exhibition was showcased on the CNN International segment "Inside Africa" and was held at imnnotArt Gallery in Chicago. Abieyuwa is an active member of  Accelerate Art and Friends With Benefits, and formerly contributed to the operations team of the African NFT Community. She recently founded After Paradise, an art curation and events company with a focus in digital art. After Paradise partnered with USURPA Gallery in Johannesburg to put on a month-long Women’s Month event in August 2023, where 27 African women’s art were displayed along with workshops and panels. 

@abieyuwa.art 

Adrian Loving

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

HANDS ON THE PULSE!, 2023

Artist Statement:

Global travel, curiosity and sharing are really the driving forces of my artistic practice. Since my childhood, music has been a lifesaver and a source of spiritual and emotional release. My academic and aesthetic side loves the study and storytelling of art. Art and music are mostly in harmony but often fight for space in my life. Whether it’s creating a video installation or developing an album over months time, I selfishly seem to choose them over many other demands of my time. I also love diving down the limitless rabbit hole of learning about art’s infinite evolution and optimistic possibilities for my creative future. My journey as an artist has taken me through the careers of teaching, music making, and technological experimentation for the past 25 years. As a conscious individual, I have embraced the need to discover, celebrate, and contribute to the necessary dialogue of the Black diasporic experience through my work. I am constantly searching for new challenges and opportunities to take risks and to create experiences in new mediums. “Doors open for the prepared and success awaits the steadfast!  

BIO:

Adrian Loving is a published contemporary art and music historian, educator, visual artist, and DJ. Throughout his 20+ year career in the arts, Loving has curated exhibitions, music festivals, and public programming at various museums, cultural institutions, and art fairs including the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art (NMAFA), IDB International Development Bank, National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC) and the Andy Warhol Museum (Pittsburgh), Miami Art Week and CAN Art Fair Ibiza. 

 Loving’s consistent participation in music festivals, art fairs, and conferences have further developed his unique perspective on contemporary pop culture, and is currently developing research on Black music culture in Spain and other countries in the African diaspora. In his most recent book project Fade to Grey, Loving explores the intersection of androgyny, art, and fashion with a focus on musicians from the 1980s including David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Prince. Loving was invited to speak at the Disco Conference at the University of Sussex, UK in 2018 and Black Portraitures Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016. His continued research in club culture has resulted in a series of panel discussions called Shoot to Thrill: Picturing Identity In Underground Dance Music. Adrian has also appeared in the 2021 PBS documentary Making Black America, and the forthcoming 2024 PBS short feature Black History in 2 Minutes (or so). 

 Loving is a working DJ and producer, which has him traveling extensively in the USA and abroad to Brazil, Malta, Spain, and South Africa to collaborate with musicians creating electronic soundscapes and dance tracks for the forthcoming spring 2024 release debut album Inner Temples: Travelscapes Vol.  Adrian’s talents for spotting music artists rooted in Jazz, Funk, Soul, and Afro-Diasporic music, has led to his curatorial development of the annual Rock The Park DC: Weekender featuring international talent including Jazzy Jeff, J.Rocc, Moodymann, Trouble Funk, and Lisa Shaw. He has performed at prominent spaces and events such as The White House Correspondent’s Dinner, First Avenue: 7th Street Entry, CCCB in Barcelona, and Worldwide Festival in France. 

 Loving currently maintains a full-time faculty position as an Instructor of Visual Art, at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC. 

Rashad Ali Muhammad

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

WARRIOR UNDER THE SUN, 2021

Artist Statement:

Warrior Under the Sun is my commentary on how we view the complexity and nuances of masculinity, especially in the Black community. Men are conditioned to be strong and not show emotions, which is often seen as a weakness, but in reality, showing all our emotions signifies strength. To experience all our emotions is to be human and a whole person. True strength lies in balancing our masculine and feminine energies.  

BIO:

Rashad Ali Muhammad is a multidisciplinary collage artist known for creating vivid and captivating works reflecting the vast complexities of our human existence. Muhammad's ongoing journey to expand his emotional intelligence ignited his desire to explore the intricacies of the human experience — the expansive intersections that shape our lives and how we can relate to each other beyond the surface. His experiences as a queer, gender-nonconforming person of the African diaspora reflect his fondness for utilizing art as a catalyst to liberate minds from the binary confines of society. Through his art, he cultivates open space for healing and rejuvenation from our chaotic world. 

Muhammad's emphasis on connecting to his inner child and love for experimentation fuels his whimsical and enchanting artistic sensibilities. For him, collage combines intention, invention, and investigation, dissecting established references and reassembling them to create new compelling visions. With a formal graphic design and photography education, Muhammad blends his acquired skills to create art that fascinates and expands the mind.  

Muhammad is a resident artist at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. His art has been exhibited extensively throughout the Washington Metropolitan region (DC, Maryland, Virginia), with other national and international exposure. He is a 2023 Art and Peacebuilding Fellow with the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at GMU. His artwork has appeared broadly in print and digital media, including the Washington Post, Kolaj Magazine, Create! Magazine, and British GQ.  

@ramcreates 

Kitoko Diva & Shane Williamson

TORRENTS Digital Exhibition

IF YOU FIND EARTH BORING…, 2023

Artist Statement:

'If you find earth boring...' is a brief cinematic ode. Drawing from 'Space is the Place,' the film mirrors Sun Ra's visionary scene, echoing his call to action at the 'Outerspace employment agency.' In this short, Black individuals across D.C. converge, echoing the call for a cosmic journey, blending cultural homage with the universal quest for exploration and liberation. 

BIO:

Kitoko Diva is a French multimedia artist and filmmaker interested in the physical spatialization of moving images, through large-scale installations and immersive environments. Her manipulation of images within three-dimensional displays explores new fors of experimental storytelling close to magical realism, blurring the line between fiction, reality and documentary. She is a Fulbright scholar and current MFA candidate at Howard University who has received recognition as the recipient of the 2023 NATAS Student Emmys Award for best fiction short film. Her works have been recently screened at the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and the Guggenheim Museum in New York. 

@urgirldiva 

BIO:

Shane Williamson (b. 2001 Brooklyn, NY) is a filmmaker and fine artist currently based out of Washington, DC. His visual work, which includes music videos, and narrative and experimental films, all incorporate themes surrounding identity, stillness, mundanity, and beauty, ultimately highlighting Black experiences across the diaspora. Through Shane’s desire to document and preserve, he seeks to bring forward rich stories that otherwise would have been neglected and disregarded.

In 2022, Shane graduated from Pace University’s Film and Screen Studies program with a double minor in Art and Women’s & Gender Studies and is now attending Howard University where he is a candidate to receive his Master of Fine Arts degree in Film.