Celebrating film as an important source material for artists, Studio Screen presents exhibitions-related screenings and conversations that engage the complex intersections of film and contemporary art. The Studio Museum in Harlem is proud to partner with caribBeing—a non-profit organization who builds community through the lens of Caribbean cinema, culture and art—to present Studio Screen: …when they grow up…, celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month. The program, which will be followed by the first Uptown Fridays! of the season, is presented on the occasion of Ebony G. Patterson’s …when they grow up…, an immersive, site-specific installation which highlights the systemic issue of ephehiphobia, or fear and loathing of children. Taking inspiration from Ebony’s interest in urban youth culture and teenagers’ ability to self-organize despite mounting odds, the selection of shorts focuses on Caribbean youth as they struggle with tough decisions, and confront their own innocence in the face of societal pressures that prescribe adult responses from them. The films include:
Missing Melodie (Monique Campbell, 2008, 7 Mins) A young woman emigrates from Jamaica in hopes of reuniting with her mother.
No Soca, No Life (Kevin Adams, 30 Mins) Olivia is a teenage girl from an impoverished community with a fabulous singing voice, honed in the church choir. When she decides to use her talent to sing soca, however, Olivia must face many hurdles, not least of all stiff opposition from her mother.
Making History (Caecilia Tripp & Karen McKinnon, 10 Mins) This video focuses on a conversation between cultural critic Edouard Glissant and Linton Kwesi Johnson, the first black poet to have his work published in Penguin’s Modern Classic Series. The exchange takes place in New York during the summer of 2008. Making History shows a conversation between two Caribbean intellectuals that reflect upon the struggles and successes of a constructed Caribbean identity.
Raft of Medusa (Alexis Peskine, 2016, 4 mins.) Illustrating Theodore Gericault’s 200 year old shipwreck painting The Raft of Medusa, this poetic video follows youthful migrants of African descent immigrating to the Western World from countries that were long colonized and exploited. The film explores the power and richness of these once colonized places, and speaks to the strength and vivacity of the youth uprising in these freshly independent nations, whilst also exposing the obstacles they face in the new world.
The screening will be followed by a public dialogue and Q&A with two of the featured filmmakers (Karen McKinnon & Monique Campbell), moderated by Shelley Worrell, co-founder of caribBeing and Nico Wheadon, Director of Public Programs + Community Engagement at The Studio Museum in Harlem. Participants are then invited to transition upstairs for a special Caribbean themed Uptown Fridays!, the museum’s summer series which transforms our courtyard and galleries into a vibrant social hub, featuring the sounds of Libation's DJ Ian Friday with Manchildblack and Afro Mosaic Soul, and signature cocktails.