Scene & Heard: March 2026

What I’ve Scene:

001

Black Art: In the Absence of Light, directed by Sam Pollard, is a sharp and hopeful documentary on the evolution of contemporary Black visual art practices. The film aims to immortalize the contributions of Black artists, often pushed to the periphery of American art history, despite their lasting presence.

Beginning with the seminal exhibition “Two Centuries of Black American Art,” curated by David Driskell in 1976, the documentary highlights numerous living Black artists, including Theaster Gates, Kara Walker, and Amy Sherald, charting their paths to greatness.

Overall, the film was a thorough introduction to the invigorating history of contemporary black art.

002

The poem, i didn’t eat the sun by ire’ne lara silva

This past March wasn’t always easy, but poems like i didn’t eat the sun commanded my attention in the best way.

The poem is filled with beautifully handcrafted lines that tackled my senses. Below is the line that latched to my ribs for all of March.

“i didn’t run with the coyotes but i howled with them i howled with them and

remebered what freedom was”

003

I generally avoid the American galleries of my local art museum because the homogeneity often leaves me demoralized. On my way to visit a different gallery, I was stunned to find the work of Cherokee painter Kay WalkingStick, whose vibrant landscapes capture themes of memory and home.

The thick layers of saponified wax protruding from the surface of WalkingStick’s diptych perfectly contrast the towering rock formation based on the Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, leaving me in awe.

004

The Chorus Girls and Other Stories (Tales of Chekov Volume 8) was an unexpected, delightful read for March.

Of the twelve stories included, my favorite by far was Verotchka, which tells the unrequited love confession between Vera and Ivan and includes lines like: “a part of his youth slipped away from him, and that the moments which he had passed through so fruitlessly would never be repeated.”

005

I’ve been in a Jafar Panahi phase, and The Mirror, is no exception.

The premise is simple, a young girl tries to make it home after school. What follows is a layered social commentary told through the eyes of a little girl. The less you know about the film, the better, which allows for an immersive and captivating experience.

I was so deeply moved by the performance from Mina, the little girl haplessly navigating the streets of Tehran with a startling amount of savvy and wit. The girl had gumption and gave a powerhouse performance. From the furrow of her brows to the curve of her lip, little Mina carried the emotional weight of her performance with ease.

What I Heard:

006

I listened to family and friends by oklou about a hundred times last month. Whenever I find lyrics that clench the pit of my gut, I can’t help but play them over and over again.

I love oklou’s delicate voice gliding over twinkling electronic beats asking the questions I’m too afraid to admit to myself:

I’ll be singing pleasure and pain,

Try everything I can,

Gods on chariots say, “Is it what you want?”

007

Inside Saint Heron’s Eldorado Ballroom, from Solange’s creative team in partnership with USC’s Thornton School of Music, was so insightful and so much fun.

The webinar appeared to be in conjunction with Solange’s upcoming stint as a scholar-in-residence beginning Fall 2027, with the course "Records of Discovery: Methodologies for Music and Cultural Curatorial Practices."

Members of Solange’s creative team detailed the process of translating ideas to execution and the variety of moving parts required to bring Creative Director + Founder Solange’s vision to life.

That’s all for March. I’m not sure if a monthly roundup is my favorite format, but I do think it’s important to keep a record of the art that leaves an impact on my life. There’s so much to discover, and these are the treasures from my side of the world.