In this profound and moving tape, produced as part of artist Wendy Clarke’s One on One project, Ahneva, a fashion designer and cultural worker, exchanges video letters with Arnold, a father, former restaurant owner, and talent show producer struggling with many burdens. “I’m trying to extend myself to you through this tape so that you can pick up on some good energy,” Ahneva declares at the start. The two connect through a discussion of Black brotherhood and sisterhood and the reverberating impact of mass incarceration on Black families and communities. As their relationship deepens, they touch on drug addiction, sexuality, and identity, while inspiring each other through their shared creative aspirations and dreams.

Presented in partnership with SAIC’s Video Data Bank.

Related events:

One on One: Ken and Louise

Wendy Clarke, 1994, USA, 79 minutes, closed captions available

Streaming February 8–14

Wendy Clarke in conversation with Bruce Jenkins and Maria Gaspar

February 11, 7:00 p.m. CT

This event will have live captions.