THE X AESTHETICS

This project is primarily based on celebrating the immortality of Malcolm X. I intend to show how Malcolm still lives, and will continue to live, inspire, and affect. He will continue to make the world think, speak, learn and unlearn. He will continue to make the world uncomfortable too. Since he manifests himself in a number of ways, the project too will look into diverse manifestations of his memory and his remembrance today; how his presence is still felt in words, in art, and of course, in thoughts. The project will mainly be looking at Graffiti images around the world on Malcolm X and what it stands for, what meanings can one derive from it and why is it still important. Why is it important to not merely give a glance to the street art but also to reflect on it. Each image is accompanied by either an explicit or a hidden story about Malcolm and his struggle, how it adds to decolonial aesthetics, how it empowers the people still and forever will. Each work of art gives an additive meaning to Malcolm’s vision and serves as a reminder to his legacy. The idea of this project, therefore, is to form a connection and meaning behind why certain art exists or has been created in certain spaces, such as academic, urban, busy streets, jazz festivals or underground areas. The aim is to bring different graffiti images in conversation with each other, and try to explain how art presents him in different ways, sometimes in completely contradictory representations, other times complementing each other and what do they mean for the viewer. Malcolm X is seen through different lenses, this project will bring them to a point of conversation with each other.

I am working on Malcolm X because he is important to me. His legacy is valuable and crucial to my desire to learn how to view the world. His larger-than-life existence does not need my contribution. In fact, it is i, it is my own need, to be able to associate and acquaint myself with works done on him and to stay connected to him. It is my need to learn more about him and internalize the principles he stood for. It is my need to produce a project in his honor, and try to show how he lives on, and how I see him living on, stronger and brighter. Like an immortal. I wish to derive strength, conviction, belief and faith from his person and his legacy. This project is personally very important, and challenging, for me, for the paradoxical and conflicting zones in my mind, and to tame down certain thoughts and anger with reference to what a segment of the world saw and suffered. The suffering is yet to end, and thus, Malcolm remains relevant. If my project turns out to be worthy enough, i would like to share it with the people around me, in a little effort to introduce those who do not know, or know very little of, the magnificent Malcolm X. The world needs to know more of him, understand more of him and benefit more from him. In this age, his ideas have become a need and a source of direction for anyone who protests, either vocally or silently, in the name of freedom and equality, against injustice of any and every kind.

This project will most probably be in the form of an Instagram account, showing graffiti images and videos on Malcolm X from different parts of the world. Each post will be accompanied by a written commentary on what are the meaning(s), purpose(s) and lesson(s) that can be derived from them, how do they contribute in keeping X’s legacy alive, and how much do they correspond to the thoughts and ideas of Malcolm X that we have access to today. I will be using Malcolm’s speeches as well to bring his voice to the art created on him.

“The X Aesthetics” will therefore be an attempt to understand the everlasting impact of Malcolm X, the man. And the meaning of the man.