Exhibition Review: An Act of Seeing: Barry Jenkins’s The Gaze
Installation, Sachyn Mital/MoMI
Written by Anvita Brahmbhatt
Copyedited by Chloë Rain
Photo Edited by Yanting Chen
Based on Colson Whitehead’s masterpiece, The Underground Railroad, Barry Jenkins’ adaptation of the same name is now an installation piece at the Museum of Moving Image in Queens, New York. In addition to that, Jenkins presents a stunning non-narrative film, The Gaze, which features the cast throughout the ten episodes of the show, along with behind-the-scenes-footage, costume and production design of the Amazon series.
The Underground Railroad revolves around the story of Cora, as she escapes a plantation in Georgia and begins the difficult journey to freedom. The mini-series with 10 episodes is now available on Amazon Prime Video, with Colson Whitehead, Barry Jenkins, Brad Pitt and more acclaimed producers involved in the project. The series garnered multiple PrimeTime Emmy nominations, and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries. The Gaze, filmed on the production of The Underground Railroad, was Jenkins’ way of paying tribute to his ancestors, and hope viewers had an opportunity to breathe a new chance to respect and understand their stories.
Installation, Sachyn Mital/MoMI
The Gaze is more than just a recreation of the making of The Underground Railroad. It is a visual rendition of the world Barry Jenkins has created along with Whitehead’s novel, and it gives the viewer a chance to explore a world tainted by the painful realities of these characters. The non-narrative film is inspired by the paintings of Kerry James Marshall. With Nicholas Britell’s heart wrenching score, Carolline Eselin’s costumes and the actors’ gaze directly at the viewer, the installation gives these characters a life beyond the pages of the novel and the episodes of the series. In addition to The Gaze, the installation consists of production material and concept art that went into the making of the series. This includes preliminary mood boards, sketches of costumes as designed by Essin and artist Gloria Young Kim and how these designs made their way to the series.
According to The New Yorker: "The triumphs of “The Underground Railroad' are inextricable from its flaws.” Jenkins’s series tries deeply to understand the character of Cora, who is always on screen yet remains unknowable. Jenkins' series is an empathetic exploration of lives that were affected by unjust systems that still finds its parts in society today. Although based on a book set generations before us, the root and context of the show remains sadly almost unchanged. As The Gaze opens up to the viewers the world of the series, we find ourselves immersed in Cora's circumstances, still angry and frustrated with our present environment.
Installation, Sachyn Mital/MoMI
Barry Jenkins is an American writer, director and producer. His film, Moonlight, won the Best Film Academy Award, and his 2018 film If Beale Street Could Talk won multiple Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. His filmography explores the Black identity, as well as surrounds the evolution and definition of the Black Culture. Of The Underground Railroad, Jenkins said, “I hope it can recontextualise rather than reinforce stereotypes about my ancestors that have been allowed to persist over the decades”.
An Act of Seeing: Barry Jenkins’ The Gaze is currently on view at the Museum of Moving Image, Queens, NYC. The Underground Railroad is available to stream for viewers on Amazon Prime Video.
Installation, Sachyn Mital/MoMI
