Jefferson Pinder's Afro-Cosmonaut/Alien (White Noise) Video Explores Civil Rights Through Myth

Jefferson Pinder's video work Afro-Cosmonaut/Alien (White Noise) presents an escapist narrative culminating in destruction as the protagonist falls to Earth after a mystical space journey. The piece draws parallels to the Icarus myth, with a brilliant zenith leading to an epic fall. Pinder incorporates a white-faced Butoh-inspired performance, positioning it as a metaphor for civil rights legacy. He appears within the work himself, inviting viewers to observe images of propulsion and power. The video takes inspiration from experimental films. Curator's Office in Bethesda, Maryland, represents the artist and describes the work. The entry was posted on February 28, 2017.