The Eulogy
2016, 2017
Taking Ralph Ellison’s novel Invisible Man as its starting point, “The Eulogy” delivers a poignant commentary on police violence in the United States in the style of a New Orleans second line funeral procession. Brass band music was interwoven into the artist’s speech, punctuating words that serve as a memorial, a rejection, a challenge, and a call to action all at once. Appropriate funeral attire was encouraged.
What the text inspired me to do, was to take those words and instead of memorializong Brother Todd Clifton (of the novel) I would insert the names of young men of color that have died at the hands of the police between the last 3-5 years. Unfortunately that was very easy to do… there was no lack of names.”
Taking Ralph Ellison’s novel Invisible Man as its starting point, “The Eulogy” delivers a poignant commentary on police violence in the United States in the style of a New Orleans second line funeral procession. Brass band music was interwoven into the artist’s speech, punctuating words that serve as a memorial, a rejection, a challenge, and a call to action all at once. Appropriate funeral attire was encouraged.
What the text inspired me to do, was to take those words and instead of memorializong Brother Todd Clifton (of the novel) I would insert the names of young men of color that have died at the hands of the police between the last 3-5 years. Unfortunately that was very easy to do… there was no lack of names.”