“Capsules,” a film by Professor Lyndon Barrois Jr., Addoley Dzegede and Lafayette Halla, is part of the program “Space Mapping: Video Art Series.” The works are on view at the Kemper Art Museum in St. Louis beginning on February 23 in coordination with the exhibition “Kahlil Robert Irving: Archaeology of the Present.”
The seven videos Irving selected highlight intimate moments in time and space when Black people are present, emphasizing the fact that no matter the setting, “We are still here.” Locations range from a person’s home, to family gatherings, to horseback riding in Oakland, California. These works are meant to remind some people that it is okay to be ourselves and to let others know that it is normal to see Black people participating in different acts or as a part of different metaphors. In today’s world, living is defined by adversity, resistance, and survival, all of which are inextricably linked to digital media. Digital media is variously used as a tool for protest, remembering passing moments, entertainment, and deception. The selected videos celebrate and acknowledge artistic practices that deploy a myriad of tools, technologies, and metaphors.
Image: Still from “Capsules” by Lyndon Barrois Jr., Addoley Dzegede and Lafayette Halla, 2023