Kara Walker Got That Pandemic

January 12, 2008

[note before watching: Kara Walker's work contains a lot of intense/provocative imagery, though I didn't use any of the illest ones here]

Yesterday I went to the Kara Walker exhibit at the Whitney, and found the actor who plays Chris Partlow on "The Wire" there browsing the work. Having those two worlds intersect was so surreal and so perfect, I decided to commemorate by blending some of Walker's images with The Wire's theme song. (Parts of the video come from here.)

I'm still processing the exhibit and what I take from it, how her work and the reaction it generates can be related to hip-hop.. perhaps to be discussed in a future video. Make sure to catch if you;re in NY though, it ends Feb. 3rd and a youtube doesn't do her imagery justice at all.

Posted by jsmooth995 at January 12, 2008 8:11 PM

Comments

Nice job, J.

Posted by: Jason Toney at January 13, 2008 12:19 AM

You gotta keep the devil, way down in the hole!
I love that show, best ever.
Nice work Doc. Man I love to use the word 'Doc'

Posted by: E at January 13, 2008 4:58 PM

The Kara Walker exhibit is by far the most intense artistic experience I've ever had. Controversial as she is honest, it's not to be missed.

Posted by: Robert at January 13, 2008 7:56 PM

Kara Walker is one of my favorite contemporary artists.
I wrote my final thesis about her work "The Emancipation Approximation", and about Spike Lee's film Bamboozled.
The intensity of her works is amazing - I just hope the people who watch this exhibit appreciate her talent and courage.

Posted by: Alia at January 14, 2008 4:03 PM

too dope!! great post jay. actually havent caught the show yet but definitely will before its over.

much like the wire, walkers work really deals with institutions--societal, govermental, cultural, all of it. but i think what makes both of them a step above others is their non-directness about it. they don't feel the need to spell it all out for you. all the pieces are there. its all shown to you. and its up to you to put it together and get your own take.

its a constant back and forth between these abstract, visceral images and the common narrative. a great way of explaining complex ideas.

*mixtape style shout out* barkley hendricks! studio museum harlem! fall 2008! don't sleep!

props on the tom waits choice too. aint quite feeling this seasons version.

Posted by: Bunk Morelum at January 14, 2008 11:06 PM

pretty stuff, cool song

Posted by: colin at January 17, 2008 3:02 AM

very profound, great mix of the images, you are a genius man!!!!

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Kara Walker Got That Pandemic

January 12, 2008

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