Things At Rest is a celebratory reimagining of the black aesthetic inspired by matriarchs of classic African-American literature.

In her essay "An Aesthetic of Blackness", Bell Hooks writes, "I want to share the aesthetic inheritance handed down to me by my grandmother and generations of black ancestors..." She concludes with the argument that everything we consume teaches us to see. I believe that the things we see on a regular basis, the things we choose for our home, wardrobe and otherwise, are a direct influence on how we interpret beauty and its function. 

Growing up an avid reader of black women authors has shaped even what I couldn't see. Now, I crave to allow these literary memories to take shape. This is the premise of my upcoming experimental short film, 'Things at Rest’. 

Set to monologues written by Ntozake Shange, 'Things At Rest' explores the philosophy of Bell Hooks, the poetic prose of Toni Morrison, the historical fables of Lorraine Hansberry, and the stage direction of Mildred D. Taylor. 

The common denominator between these writers is the way they approach materialism. Their characters similarly learn and are shaped by experiences with the loss of things. Which items are held sacred are different based on time and location but their significance holds steady across cultures in the black diaspora. 

For audience members to perceive this project as intended, the visual grammar will focus heavily on objects and symbolism. Viewers will connect the images to their literary origin by recognizing how characters relate to very literal objects or “THINGS”.