Topsy-turvy

In Rhizome (Current Exhibition: New Black Portraitures), the selection of pieces focuses on black identity and seems to be uncomfortable on purpose. Rindon Johnson’s work consists of a 360 of 3 animated black men. In the

presentation, there are two ASMR voices speaking in the background as the men rotate, change color and hairstyles. The voices mention having trouble sleeping while the animated visuals are constantly having modifications made

to their appearances. Radeem Pettaway’s “Devil Under my ___” is of disturbing sounds and narration. The narrator does not feel like he belongs in his body. The video that is playing is of a black individual moving around in

correlation to the narration. The person in the video appears to feel uncomfortable and trapped. It seems as though the person is illustrating the way the narrator is describing he feels. Pastiche Lumbumba’s work is displayed as

three Instagram pages where he displays his art, body, and thoughts. It is ironic that he has such personal elements of his life on display on Instagram. When I went to go to the pages they were on private. This appears intentional in

that he is broadcasting the most intimate parts of him on such a large platform, while still seeking privacy. All three of these pieces comment on dissatisfaction, or being on display.

-Itsacat