I’ve had this on repeat for the last couple of minutes switching my hearing to hear either “that’s a fucking excellent idea” and “that sounds like an excellent idea” (which is what he’s actually saying) and it’s really tripping me out
“Baggage Series 4 alludes to the traumas that refugees carry with them—the toll it takes physically and mentally. Each painstakingly detailed, multi-layered model stretches skyward from suitcases that were themselves donated by the descendants of earlier generations of immigrants to the United States, who fled Europe and the devastation of the Second World War. My juxtaposition of contemporary art and historical artifact physically joins the stories of Syrian refugees to America’s long heritage as a nation of immigrants. In its ability to connect with audiences at the level of their lineage, Baggage Series 4 transcends a purely humanitarian position and intervenes in the complicated racial and nationalist dimensions of refugee resettlement today.” — Mohamad Hafez in Syria, Then and Now: Stories from Refugees a Century Apart
Mohamad Hafez (born Damascus, Syria, 1984) Baggage Series 4, 2016. Mixed media (plaster, paint, antique suitcase, found objects) Courtesy of the artist
In this episode of The Melanated Files (MFiles) we introduce Katie, a half Black, half Japanese woman living in Japan. Katie shares her experience living in Japan for most of her life as a biracial woman. Along with sharing her experiences and her passions, Katie shares tips on overcoming some of the common struggles that biracial individuals living in Japan may face. She also spoke briefly on the beauty standard in Japan. Watch to hear her story.