SARAH NICOLE FRANÇOIS
iGURL, 2022
Serving as a commentary on the everchanging “IG Baddie Aesthetic” sublimated in our cultural landscape. The tide for what is deemed attractive is shifting quicker and quicker and the expectation to keep up becomes heavy as technology progresses and social media influence spreads. Simultaneously, the access to change on how we look is instant as a fast food order. For those who relent to the demands of the tides, what are the consequences of these heavy expectations? How is this affecting our collective psyche as we get closer and closer to the Uncanny Valley?
Sarah’s work on first look is provocative and sometimes unsettling. The questions she presents through her work are as relevant as they come. Who is the real Sarah? This is the essence of her work, merging digital spaces with reality.
SARAH NICOLE FRANÇOIS
Sarah Nicole François is an LA based Haitian-American multi disciplinary artist specializing in Digital 3D works and clothing construction and design. Known for her commercial work with artists such as Solange Knowles, Brooke Candy and Chief Keef. In her personal work, her goal is to shift the historically whitewashed perception of African spiritual practices and bridge the gap of Haitian history and modern mediums. Sarah creates immersive digital works that focus on themes of Haitian Voudou and folklore in an effort to explore the complex cultural history of her lineage.
AYANNA DOZIER
SOFTER, 2020
Softer examines the demands of "softening" that are requested of Black women's bodies in society---from job prospects to romantic ones---be that in their voice, their manners, and, critically, their hair. The experimental short plays upon the grooming rituals of softening that are terrifyingly rough through a recreation of a permanent wave machine produced perm (popular in the 1930s-1950s). The short mediates on the historical ways in which Black women have tried to answer this demand on softness through respectable appearance and behavior.
CHRISTELLE DE CASTRO
JUST SAY, 2021
"Just Say" is a music video directed & produced by de Castro for her best friends, twin musicians, Coco & Breezy. It is a dance-centered film particularly honoring the genre of house. It is a window into Christelle's world, one that is eclectic, soulful, and celebrates the spectrum. This film was self funded by Christelle & the artists and made possible with the contribution of friends, both in front of the camera and behind the lens.
CHRISTINE YUAN
HOYEON AS THE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN OF MYSTERY, 2022
KASEY ELISE WALKER
HOOP DREAMS, 2021
The short film explores the vibrant colors of South LA through the eyes of Savannah Walker, an 8 year-old, African American girl who idolizes her mother’s resilient strength and mystical, golden hoop earrings. Walker's fear of speaking publicly in poetry class leads her to steal her mother's hoops with a belief that they'll help her overcome anything. Ultimately, her mother’s golden hoops transport her into a world beyond her greatest imagination.
KILO KISH
DEATH FANTASY — this song serves as the American Gurl album “manifesto”
It’s asking who we are beyond definitions, and beyond who we appear to be to ourselves, and others. I’ve struggled with this for a long time as I haven’t always fit neatly in any space so this song is actually a declaration of freedom in many ways.
KITTY CA$H
KITTY’S WORLD: GETTING TO THE MONEY, 2021
“Getting To The Money” by Kitty Ca$h invites viewers into the artist's mental landscape; through the 3D character, Kitty has an open discourse on achieving the American Dream through financial literacy and hip hop culture. This episode features live action guests featuring Aleali May, Amber Khan, ModernBlkGirl, and Beverly Beal.
LEILA JARMAN
THIS IS MARAWA, 2021