Fire Bun! But Bring Water (2017), is a discussion of policing within the area of Laventille. It is meant to capture the simultaneity of police neglect, hyper-securitization, and robust community policing efforts existing in the region. It is paired with the words of Mr. Johnson, a resident of Morvant/Laventille for over 50 years.
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Today, Yes Today, We Will Fly (2018), draws on the iconic signage style of advertisements for dancehall parties and fêtes to engage in a discussion of “freedom”. The collage features photographs collected at St. Barb’s Basketball court and at a sports festival aimed at combatting gang warfare that was held in Laventille during July 2016. It is paired with the words of Vincent who was born and raised in Laventille (however he later moved away), as he gives me a walking tour of part of the area and introduces me to the statue of Adende. Today, Yes Today, We Will Fly references multiple historical revolutionary attempts at liberation (defined differently at different moments) from slavery, colonialism, imperialism, and racial capitalism. But it puts these various large-scale political movements in conversation with the quotidian ways people free up and make joy—make sound—make life—even amongst silencing.
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