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Isaac Julien

Isaac Julien (b. 1960, London) is considered to be one of the most significant pioneers of New Queer Cinema. His work often draws upon his interest and expertise in the history of ‘Blaxploitation’ cinema – a subgenre of film that emerged in the early 70s and was originally aimed at urban African-American audience. The images for Julien’s Baltimore Series are created from film stills from his three-channel video installation Baltimore. The film was conceived as a tribute to the renowned actor, director and writer, Melvin Van Peebles (b. 1932, Chicago) who is credited as one of the pioneers of Blaxploitation film. It features a collection of cinematographic references, using footage shot in three Baltimore museums. The photographs show wax figures of protagonists from African-American history installed in front of exhibits and posed as visitors to the museum. This image depicts Ida B. Wells, who was born a slave in Mississippi, and became an activist for the rights of black people and for women in the early 20th century.

Artworks

  1. Isaac Julien Baltimore Series (Ida B. Wells/Still Life), 2003

    Impression digitale sur Hahnemühle photo Rag
    Collection Mudam Luxembourg
    Donation 2022 – American Friends of Mudam, Collection Raymond J. Learsy
    © Photo : Rémi Villaggi | Mudam Luxembourg

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