Nov 4, 2018

ariella tai – untitled (how does it feel)

ariella tai is a video artist, film scholar, and independent programmer from queens, new york.  they are interested in the materiality of black bodies and black performance as vernaculars which subvert, interrupt or defy the diegetic cohesiveness of narrative.  they currently re-appropriate, glitch and video process existing media in attempts to rupture and reconstruct some of the messier emotional realities of black femme existence.  they are one half of “the first and the last,” a fellowship, workshop and screening series supporting and celebrating the work of black women and trans and gender non-conforming femmes in film, video and new media art.  their programming work has been supported by grants from The Precipice Fund and RACC.

untitled (how does it feel) is a collection of short video work made over the course of a year by ariella tai.  these videos are collections of visual gestures from contemporary television and film exploring parts of black femme existence considered less desirable for consumption.  this work is an exploration of the materiality of black bodies and black performance as vernaculars which subvert, interrupt or defy the diegetic cohesiveness of narrative. in their practice, tai currently re-appropriates, glitches, video processes and digitally manipulates existing media in attempts to rupture and reconstruct some of the messier emotional realities of black queer existence.  they are particularly preoccupied with questions of where resistance meets revenge.

 

List of Films (in order):
hoe dor, 2.5 min
more dead, 6 min
stain, 2.5 min
hold me, 4 min
it’s yours, 4 min
i just, 4 min
adore, 4 min
not alone, 6 min
soul food, 3 min
blue, 2 min