The Edge of Legibility

I directed this short documentary about Kameelah Janan Rasheed for the Art 21 series in 2021

logo·​phile | ˈlȯ-gə-ˌfī(-ə)l : a lover of words. A self-described "learner," immersed in books since childhood, text-based artist Kameelah Janan Rasheed is uniquely fascinated with the written word and its power to both define and destabilize how we understand the world. Rasheed photocopies pages from books and printed materials, cuts out words and sentences, and re-arranges them in poetic, provocative, or even confusing combinations. The resulting sprawling wall collages, billboards, films and public installations encourage viewers to do the work of understanding. "It’s really an invitation," says Rasheed, "Come think with me." This short documentary film explores the artist’s expansive ideas and miniaturist process in her book-filled, Brooklyn home studio; the film’s exclusively close up style mirrors Rasheed’s own preoccupation with fragments, slowly building up a portrait over time.

Kameelah Janan Rasheed (b. 1985, East Palo Alto, California, USA) lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

CREDITS | "New York Close Up" Series Producer: Nick Ravich. Director & Producer: Carrie Hawks. Editor: Brian Redondo. Cinematography: Rose Bush. Additional Camera: Diana Larrea. Sound: Monica Rodriguez. Additional Animation: Carrie Hawks. Sound Design & Mix: Gisela Fullà-Silvestre. Color Correction: Addison Post. Design & Graphics: Chips. Music: Blue Dot Sessions and Th&o. Artwork Courtesy: Kameelah Janan Rasheed. Thanks: Angie Gonzalez, Betty McGhee, Piero Atchugarry Gallery, and Octavia Yearwood. © Art21, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved.

"New York Close Up" is supported by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts; and, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Dawn and Chris Fleischner; and by individual contributors.