The INAUGURAL Series
The INAUGURAL series chronicles four years in the United States, starting in 2017 when the 45th president took office and concludes with the inauguration of the 46th president in 2021.
When I began this solo project in 2017, I did so as a response to the vast political shifts and attitudes in the United States. As the work evolved, I became dedicated (read: obsessed) to documenting all four years. I have categorized the INAUGURAL series as experimental documentary essays; my colleagues have also referred to these films as a contemporary anthropological study.
Sublimation of language and manipulation of text on screen, and the challenge of the amount of time and space to give power to words and images, remain at the forefront of my work and in this series. Words and images are often ripped (torn apart) from media reports; poems stand alone or are interwoven with headlines. Interpretation and misinterpretation of words and images collide with the (questionable) subjective POV and (questionable) objective media excerpts.
My self-imposed parameter was to quickly create and edit the work as events unfolded in order to capture the chaos and urgency. Although some of the films may not appear as polished as others, all choices are deliberate.
After completing YEAR ONE, I edited the films together in chronological order and added chapter headings and brief transitional images and sounds, which evolved into its own entity and became an approximately 50-minute film. I followed suit with YEAR TWO (approximately 13 minutes) and YEAR THREE (approximately 24 minutes). I am currently doing the same for YEAR FOUR.
The films range from approximately 30 seconds to 6 minutes. While each work can be viewed as a stand alone film, the films present a more integrated viewing experience when seen in the context of each series.
Attaining individual recognition, seven of the short films from the INAUGURAL series won Awards and were Official Selections at more than 50 international festivals, including Rotterdam Independent Film Festival, Hong Kong Indie Film Festival, Sydney Indie Short Festival, Silk Road Film Awards-Cannes, Paris International Short Festival, and Austin International Art Festival.
INAUGURAL: YEAR ONE
January 20, 2017 – January 20, 2018
Chronicling one year in America in four chapters of short experimental documentary essays.
Chapter 1: SPRING IS COMING…SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD (17 films)
Chapter 2: JULY 2017: REFLECTING / DEFLECTING THE WORD INDEPENDENCE (8 films)
Chapter 3: THE HEATED WORDS OF SUMMER, FALLING INTO THE FALL (12 films)
Chapter 4: THE WINTER OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY DISCONTENT (7 films)
Clip from WITNESS CHARLOTTESVILLE AFTERMATH
INAUGURAL: YEAR TWO
January 20, 2019 – January 20, 2020
Chronicling year two in America in two chapters. Chapter 1: Three short experimental documentary essays.
Chapter 2: Two experimental films. Appropriation and commentary of advertisements and television shows from decades ago, typifying a time in American history (and propaganda).
Clip from HOW WE GOT HERE: Part 1
INAUGURAL: YEAR THREE
January 20, 2019 – January 20, 2020
Chronicling year 3 in America. Ten short experimental documentary essays.
Clip from YEAR 3 ENDS
INAUGURAL: YEAR FOUR
January 20, 2020 – January 20, 2021
Chronicling year 4 in America. Seven short experimental documentary essays. (In progress)