Produced through a creative partnership between FirstWorks and WaterFire Providence, “The Seeing” is an exhibition featuring six film works scored by renowned composer, violinist and activist Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR).
Roumain will be present to greet attendees during “The Seeing” exhibition’s opening reception taking place on Thursday, January 20, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. He will lead a half-hour Town Hall conversation which will be livestreamed on FirstWorks’ Facebook page from 7:30-8:00 p.m. Watch the Livestream here
DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN
ARTIST STATEMENT
The Seeing is a collection of films that are all related to our willingness to hear, understand, and love one another. Can we see each other? Of course, for so many, division and hatred is what is heard and understood, and hatred fills our screens and airwaves as it surrounds and drowns our communities into a chasm of despair. We are a country bound and divided by race, and these films take a clear-eyed view of race in America and how it unfolds for so many BIPOC people worldwide. The titles of these films reveal the intention of my work with an array of talented and brilliant film makers, from Yoram Savion to Dana Greenfield to Carlos Toro and others, all in deep collaboration. As a Black man in America, I am well aware of the trope of the being caught, in a frame, in a lethal pas de deux with law enforcement, hoping and praying to live.
There have been times when I have been afraid and feared for my life. These films speak to fear, but just as boldly, they speak to all of us seeking truth, justice, and a better American way—aren’t we better than this?
The Seeing includes the following works:
THEY STILL WANT TO KILL US
Composed and performed by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR); Mezzo-soprano: J’Nai Bridges; Directed and edited by Yoram Savion; Director of photography: Sam Wolff; Produced by Sozo.
I HAVE NOTHING TO DO EXCEPT LOVE
Composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR); Libretto, vocals, and piano by Minna Choi; Directed, edited, and libretto by Dana Greenfield; with words from Simone Roumain; Cinematography by Sam Wolff; Dance and choreography by Sarah Bolander; Project management by Sozo Artists. Commissioned, developed, and produced by PROTOTYPE: Opera | Theatre | Now.
ABOUT FACE
Spoken word poetry by Marc Bamuthi Joseph; Score by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR); Performed and choreographed by Drew Dollaz; Directed, filmed and edited by Yoram Savion; Produced by Rika Iino and Melissa Higgins | Sozo.
FEAR
Directed by Yoram Savion; Spoken word poetry by Marc Bamuthi Joseph; Score by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR); Director of photography: Gabrielle Blackwood; Produced by Rika Iino, Melissa Higgins and Yoram Savion | Sozo.
REQUIEM, FOR THE LIVING, IN COLOR
Score by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR); Film by Steer (Steerforward.com); Produced by FirstWorks, premiered at PVDFest 2020.
OUR COUNTRY
Score by Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR); Performed and Choreographed by Drew Dollaz; Film by Steer (Steerforward.com); Cinematography by Sam Wolff; Produced by FirstWorks.
The exhibition will be open to the public during the Center’s regular business hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Thursday evenings until 9:00 p.m.
