John Akomfrah’s The Unfinished Conversation is
a multi-layered three-screen installation, which aims to decipher the
complexity of ‘identity’ through questioning whether it is entirely intrinsic
and something that we possess no designation of, or something in which we are
able to masterfully fabricate ourselves. Constructed from
archived images and film, it regards the life of cultural theorist Stuart
Hall. It primarily addresses his experiences of moving to Britain as an
immigrant and how the subject of ‘belonging’ has been a constant struggle for
him from the moment he was born. Within the picture Hall explains that he
always felt he was something of an outsider - even within his own family, as he
was three skin shades darker than them all. This inspires the concept of
physically belonging somewhere, but at the same time, feeling emotionally
detached and alienated. In light of the picture’s depiction of societal
isolation centralised around race and culture, the biennial’s theme
of Hospitality has
obviously been responded to, but not in a positive light. It seems to convey a
sense of inhospitableness, particularly in a societal sense.
Nevertheless, I believe that the picture discusses how cultural entities such as music, art and literature can provide us with a sense of belonging, and similarly, help us to form our identity. An instance of this within the picture is when Stuart Hall talks about his first encounter with Jazz music; he speaks of how, upon his first hearing of Jazz, he instantly knew it was the music for him, and he also implies that he felt an inherent sense of belonging to the Jazz scene despite feeling a lack of it elsewhere in his life. The visuals of the picture, such as the cinematography and use of colour were very attractive and having it across three screens accentuated this. Even though I did find it quite problematic trying to observe the three screens simultaneously, I think this feature makes the viewer feel more encapsulated into the picture. The utilisation of sound is another mentionable facet, as it is used so effectively that it becomes integral to pictures screened. It is at times rather sinister and foreboding and this coincides with the sometimes violent, dark imagery of the picture.
All in all, I felt the piece was essentially a critique of the unanimously withheld belief that ‘identity’ is something inherent, which we are summoned with at birth and therefore have no control over. It dictates an empowering message - that one’s identity is something they construct themselves through their own experiences and choices. In other words, regardless of our upbringing or social background we have the power to determine the kind of person that we ultimately become.
Nevertheless, I believe that the picture discusses how cultural entities such as music, art and literature can provide us with a sense of belonging, and similarly, help us to form our identity. An instance of this within the picture is when Stuart Hall talks about his first encounter with Jazz music; he speaks of how, upon his first hearing of Jazz, he instantly knew it was the music for him, and he also implies that he felt an inherent sense of belonging to the Jazz scene despite feeling a lack of it elsewhere in his life. The visuals of the picture, such as the cinematography and use of colour were very attractive and having it across three screens accentuated this. Even though I did find it quite problematic trying to observe the three screens simultaneously, I think this feature makes the viewer feel more encapsulated into the picture. The utilisation of sound is another mentionable facet, as it is used so effectively that it becomes integral to pictures screened. It is at times rather sinister and foreboding and this coincides with the sometimes violent, dark imagery of the picture.
All in all, I felt the piece was essentially a critique of the unanimously withheld belief that ‘identity’ is something inherent, which we are summoned with at birth and therefore have no control over. It dictates an empowering message - that one’s identity is something they construct themselves through their own experiences and choices. In other words, regardless of our upbringing or social background we have the power to determine the kind of person that we ultimately become.
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