13 Films by Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matters
Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matter, aka #BWAforBLM, is a collective force of artists working to creatively support the Black Lives Matter movement. Artist Simone Leigh convened this group in “response to the continued inhumane institutionalized violence against black lives.”
This past Monday evening, Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matter took over the glorious performance space at The Kitchen to bless us with thirteen mind-bending short films created by members of the collective. There were beautiful beats by DJ LotusMoon and wine (lots and lots of wine).
The films themes ranged from belonging, home, Black identity in the African Diaspora, and animated (but serious) commentary on Blackness and Black Enuff-ness. You can check out two films from the event below.
Middle Passage For Dreams
(Middle) Passage For Dreams from ******* on Vimeo.
Ecstatic Experience
Perhaps my favorite film though was the work of Sofia Senna (aka Frannie Sosa). In I Need this Right Now, Sofia weaves together a series of violent and erotic images to demonstrate the equally healing and destructive power of sound. In some images you see militarized sonic weapons being used to quell protests, and in other images you see packed dance floors with twerking bodies in pursuit of healing. I know, sounds crazy, but her argument is compelling. Music as protest. Music as radical self-care. Music as antidote.
Yeah, I had all these thoughts. Plus wine. It was a good night.
Get into the art of Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matters below, on Facebook and Instagram. Here is a run down of the films and artists from the event, you can thank me later.
Black Women Artists for Black Lives Matters featured films:
Young Women Sitting and Standing and Talking and Stuff by Sondra Perry
Tower XYZ by Ayo Akingbade
(Middle) Passage for Dreams by Helina Metaferia
Negro Hair Petting Zoo by Carrie Hawks
Give and Take Animation by Shervone Neckles
Josephine and the Leopard by Jade Montserrat
Not My Dad by Legacy Russell
Siboney by Joiri Minaya
I Need This is My Life by Sofia Senna
Her Name Sounds Like by T Bodunde
Live, Moments Ago by Catherine Anyongo
Implicit Lines by Shelley Rae
Ecstatic Experience by Ja’tovia Gary
in art and love,
christa david
