“look back at me” cites both the title and irreverent energy of the 2008 track from the genre-defining Miami rapper Trina. This multi-channel video and sound installation uses digital glitch and analog video processing tools to create visual and sonic altars for Black femme pleasure, play, revenge and possibility. “look back at me” utilizes and appropriates canonical pop culture film and media images of Black lesbians and queered femmes, featuring concert footage of Janet Jackson from her Velvet Rope tour, Chrystale Wilson as Ronnie in the 1998 film The Players Club and the inimitable Grace Jones, amongst others. “look back at me” lays in the messy interstices that inextricably link power, pleasure, violence and desire.
early iterations of “look back at me” screened at NW Marine Works curated by Mobile Projection Unit as large scale projections and as a multi-channel installation curated by Jaleesa Johnston for Conductions hosted by the Portland Art Museum in January 2023.
please reach out via the contact page for a screener of the single channel film.
