An Unmasking of Thyself

Andy Arts Center

Choreographer and Creative Artist | Imani Ma'at AnkhmenRa Amen Taylor
University of Michigan Department of Dance | MFA Thesis
Photography | Kirk Donaldson
Stage Manager | Duo Duo Wang
Lighting Design | Abi Farnsworth 

From Imani: "An unmasking to me is healing, freedom, justice personified into action, anti-racism, social justice, magic, and divinity.”

Giving back to her community, Imani Ma'at AnkhmenRa Amen Taylor transformed The Andy Arts Center in Detroit, MI into an interactive experience featuring Imani's films, family art, vendors, and a ritualistic performance. 

Imani was a recipient of the 2022 Emerging Artist Fellowship supported by the Knight Foundation. The Emerging Artist Fellowship recognizes ambitious artists who are early in their careers and demonstrate artistic potential through creative risk-taking.

Imani and I focused on vibrant colors for the evening community participation and ritual event for an intimate, yet vivid experience through the night. 

Below are two concept drawings I created for her. The first drawing is the concept for the ritualistic performance, while the second is for Imani's sister's showcase in the gallery space. 

Through some technical challenges, I found myself with 6 control channels: warm front light, lavender front light, purple high side lighting, blue back diagonal lighting, teal shin lighting, and hot pink shin lighting. With the limited variety of lighting available, unforeseen obstacles, and fluid nature of the show; I decided busking would be the direction I would go in for the show.