OBJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Takac, Balasz. 2020. “Gordon Parks’s Segregated America at Alison Jacques Gallery.” Widewalls. This photograph taken by civil rights photographer, Gordon Parks, is directly referenced in Kendrick Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” music video. Parks was known for using his camera to depict scenes of American poverty and racism. This image captures what seems to be three young american boys living in poverty. The child in the middle is holding a gun and aiming in the distance. Kendrick uses this as a reference in his video by recreating this exact scene depicting the surrounding environment manyAmerican children living in poverty find themselves in, in this case, violence is suggested. Parks, Gordon, 1912-. 1963. Elijah Muhammad’s daughter, Ethel Shariff in Chicago. This photograph taken by civil rights photographer, Gordon Parks, is directly referenced in Kendrick Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” music video. Parks was known for using his camera to depict scenes of American poverty and racism. In this image we see multiple black nuns wearing all white, staring at the camera. This image by Gordon Parks is recreated in Kendrick Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” and can be seen as a reference to his faith.

Gonzales, David. 2016. “Two Champions: Muhammad Ali and Gordon Parks - The New York Times.” Lens, June 7, 2016. “ELEMENT” Sunday Issue 27 June 2017

This photograph taken by civil rights photographer, Gordon Parks, is directly referenced in Kendrick Lamar’s “ELEMENT.” music video. Parks was known for using his camera to depict scenes of American poverty and racism. In this scene we see famous African American boxer, Muhammad Ali, teaching a young boy how to fight. Kendrick uses this scene in his music video “ELEMENT.” The father is on his knees, level with his son, and the son is standing in front of him with his fists up in a fighting stance. The father repeatedly taps himself in the cheek and grabs the son’s arm, signaling him to punch him there. This is yet another moment captured by photographer Park and translated by Lamar, however, it seems like a memory many young black and brown boys face; including Kendrick Lamar. With the scenes of the children holding up guns and being taught how to fight amongst grown men in the gangs, men being beaten and running from flashing lights, Kendrick states “They won’t take me out my element…”

THE REVOLUTION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY December Lookbook .032 THROUGH ART: A FOCUS ON KENDRICK LAMAR

Lamar, Kendrick. Kendrick Lamar– Alright., YouTube, June 30, 2015. The music video for the track “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar was released on June 30, 2015, on YouTube and streaming platforms. The video begins with different scenes of Los Angeles, California, (Oakland and Treasure Island). Scenes of gangs, violent fights, blood, and money flash the screen throughout the video. Kendrick is depicting stereotypical scenes in his hometown of Compton, alluding to the “controversial rap themes” seen in his music videos. This video shows his message to empower his community through its images including the scene of four white cops carrying Kendrick and other black men inside a car; placing them in a “untouchable” position.

OBJECT DESCRIPTIONS

Lamar, Kendrick. Kendrick Lamar– DNA., YouTube, April 18, 2017

Like “Alright”, this video includes violent scenes of gangs, and stereotypical “rap themes,” yet it includes an officer questioning Kendrick in the beginning. We see an argument develop between both sides. This video and its imagery is a vessel Lamar utilizes to share his reply to his critique on his previous work, including his track, “Alright.” Kendrick continues to rap and in the end, the camera pans into his face as he states “Sex, money, murder: our DNA.” He is purposefully playing into these stereotypes as he sees they are inescapable.

Lamar, Kendrick., Kendrick Lamar- ELEMENT., YouTube, June 27, 2017. This music video is a culmination of the peace, violence, pain, and beauty seen within Kendrick’s community, or ‘element.’ Within the video, there is a consistent back and forth between violence and peace. Kendrick dives deeper into this imagery we see identical recreations of Gordon Park’s work including three kids standing behind a barbed-wire fence with one looking in the distance holding a gun, a group of black nuns wearing all white, a man teaching a young boy how to fight, and more. With the scenes of the children holding up guns and being taught how to fight amongst grown men in the gangs, men being beaten and running from flashing lights, Kendrick states “They won’t take me out my element…” Kendrick is purposefully contradicting his words with his imagery. Kendrick’s choice to use works by Gordon Park was extremely beneficial to his ultimate goal as an artist. Gordon Parks fought against prejudice through his work during the civil rights era as he believed “The camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs.” Parks was a pioneer in the blaxploitation genre in film which some viewed as perpetuating racial stereotypes. However, others viewed it as a form of black empowerment. That controversy mirrors Kendrick and the themes in his music video, ultimately revealing his true intention with his work– empowering his community.