Thursday, February 27, 2020

I Can Make You Feel Better

Tyler Mitchell’s “I Can Make You Feel Better” comments on how the black body is forced to move within a vacuum that prohibits one from partaking in freedom of expression. A vacuum prohibits one's expression because the black body is forced to maneuver in space where there freedom of expression is restricted. In an ideal world a black individual would be able to freely express themselves. Mitchell depicts images of black beauty, black love, the playfulness of black youth and black culture which is not often represented in today's media. The images that are often pushed on various social media platforms usually portrays negative stereotypes of the black individual which can be detrimental to the black community.
The viewer is first guided into a space that depicts several black individuals laying on a picnic blanket while accounts of the black experience play on a speaker. As you move throughout the exhibition you begin to consider your role within the narrative of a black person having the freedom to express themselves through any means without any limitations placed upon them by society. Mitchell's show then guides you into a space where you lay on your back and look at a screen of young black boys enjoying their youth by flocking on the grass; in our society even the act of young black boys having fun is often met with police brutality. Lastly Mitchell depicts images of black individuals displayed on different fabrics that are hung in the form of a laundry line. As you weave in and out the space the viewer becomes immersed in a utopia where the black body is free from all constraints.  




1 comment:

  1. I think that the first sentence is a little long and could either be shortened or split into two at "but in an ideal world a black individual will be able to freely express themselves". Additionally, some parts could be reworded a bit as they seem a little repetitive (images, often, depicts). In terms of the description maybe you could add a little more about the materials and installation. I thought specifically the turf and the white picket fence in the video space and how that relates to the clothing line installation of the rest of the work could be something of worth to mention.

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