The work of Kara Walker reminds me a bit of shadow puppetry. Though it is not manipulation of the puppet through conventional means, her work acts on the silhouettes which under overhead projections seem to animate the images. Her new exhibition "Song of the South" includes an installation of film (and 16mm!), experiments with projection and shadows, live performances, animation, and a shadow puppet performance. It also features a premiere of the film 8 Possible Beginnings: or the Creation of African-America. A Moving Picture by the young, self-taught, Genius of the South K.E. Walker. Her shadow dramas depict acts of sex, birth, dismemberment and play coupled with dominance and desire, fantasy and fear.



It is currently on display at the Redcat in L.A.
Sept. 3-Oct. 23, 2005
There will be a performance of the artist at 7PM on Oct 23 - with what the gallery says a Live Shadow Puppet Performance.