Date of Award
5-1-2024
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Mass Communication and Media Arts
First Advisor
Kreider, Wago
Abstract
Through The Lens is a multimedia installation and performance that deals with how Black are viewed in society from the perspective of a Black graphic artist. As a Black man myself, it comes from only my perspective, however, it can be used as a gateway for larger conversations to occur for change for the better. Through the Lens is an experience. An experience, in which Black Men are allowed to speak their peace, while allowing those around to hear and see them for who they are versus what society has conditioned us to think. It consists of several different photographic, video installations, and community/live-based accounts of how society portrays Black as negative, through the use of storytelling and real-life accounts. Through the Lens aims to take the negative and turn it into a positive, and using community involvement to do so. The intent is to engage in a useful and intelligible conversation about how to change that language that we have come so fond of knowing and to live cohesively together, while changing the narrative that has held Blacks, especially Black Men, to for so long.
Access
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.