A Crackup at the Race Riots

A Crackup at the Race Riots by Belgian artist trio Leo Gabin is inspired by Harmony Korine’s book of the same name. Taking Florida as their location of choice, the directors have put together a collage of images found on YouTube, consisting mainly of home movies that depict the internalisation of MTV culture, for instance, or drug abuse and natural disasters. By appropriating such material, Leo Gabin offer us imagery associated with negative yet realistic depictions of the so-called American Dream, an interpretation of a social and political reality built along the lines of Korine’s novel, which in turn seemingly at random collects story snippets with alleged documentary value. When asked about the implications of using footage produced by others, Leo Gabin reply: “That’s the beauty of appropriation art, using elements normally not considered art or having a non-art function to create a new work.” In other words: borrowing from culture produces culture, despite claims of authorship. Film introduced by a video essay by Paula Albuquerque.

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