INTER(FEAR)ENCE

INTER(FEAR)ENCE (2021) speaks to the hierarchical division sounded between whiteness and blackness, and on a deeper level, it speaks to the interactions between the powerful and the powerless.

Inspired by the notion that fear creates a sonic filter, which prevents us from recognizing our common humanity, this piece puts forward the idea that there is a transparent line of fear that divides black and white America. This division is both deep and systemic. This transparent filter symbolizes the ideological barriers that interferes with our listening. When we do not listen, we do not accept the humanity of the other.


This installation invites you to engage in two different perspectives and aims to explore how sound and listening impact racial politics. We hear anger, frustration, disbelief, fear, pride and humiliation. There is also condescension, domination, threats, impatience and violence.

Inspired by the African-American writer and intellectual , W.E.B. DuBois. In Dusk of Dawn, DuBois described the doggedness of race as an invisible color line kind of transparent wall dividing blacks and whites. On one side of this transparent wall is where blacks reside in a kind of vacuum. On the other side of the color line is where whites live. The transparent wall allows the two worlds to see each other, but words and sounds are unable to penetrate.


Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGmhz6YNZEM&t=1s&ab_channel=Nexcyia
Sound: https://soundcloud.com/nexcyia/interfearence2021-final/s-zdigDgwOHuQ

PROTOTYPES of INTER(FEAR)ENCE
(2016-2018)