SHIFT is a newly commissioned multilayered project of award winning artist Barak adé Soleil; at Museum of Contemporary Chicago [MCA] in May & June of 2023. 

On May 6, i premiere SHIFT: a new work commissioned by MCA, that amplifies the presence of Black neurodiverse and disabled bodies by occupying the museum’s spaces both digitally and physically.

SHIFT is comprised of a video installation in one of the MCA’s public stairwells and a live event. In the dreamlike installation that runs from May 6 through June 19, the presence of Black neurodiverse and disabled bodies infiltrates a spiral stairwell within the museum, where they are shown from many angles and at multiple scales, both at rest and in movements reflecting everyday gestures. In the live event on May 6, a promenade of members from Chicago’s Black and Brown disability and neurodiverse communities traverse the museum’s varied public spaces; recalibrating the flow of activity throughout the MCA and challenging simplistic depictions of disabled bodies in real time.

Curated by: Tara Aisha Willis, Curator in Performance and Public Practice @MCA

Overall concept, direction & design: Barak adé Soleil

Collaborating film design & editing: Geoff Albores

Contributing film editing & design: Lowell Thomas

Filmmakers: Floyd C. Konde (London); Lowell Thomas (Chicago)

Film & Promenade score editing: Daniel Marcellus Givens

Film Participants: aliyu abubakr, Terri Lynne Hudson, Aklilu Senbeta and Barak adé Soleil, with Justin Cooper.

Additional support in design for installation configuration at MCA: Matt Sharp, Paul Deuth, Audra Jacot & Matt Test

Access elements & aesthetics developed by Barak adé Soleil with additional support and production by MCA.

Accessibility for Installation: American Sign Language Interpretation – Hershella Ashford; Audio Description – Victor Cole; Haptic Box – Barak adé Soleil with MCA.

Consultation in accessibility: Nathan Geering

Initial consultation in digital design: Edwin R. Ruiz

Advisement: Amitabh Rai & aliyu abubakr

Community Organizer for Promenade: Justin Cooper

Community Associate for Promenade: Aklilu Senbeta

Promenade Participants: Terri Hudson, Aklilu Senbeta, Barak adé Soleil, Justin Cooper, Chernell L. Lane, Miss Alexis, Jumoke Taiwo, Genevieve Ramos, Ry Douglas.

General Support for Barak adé Soleil: NicK King

General Support for Promenade: Gery Joyful Moore, Coman Poon, Denise Reese & Genevieva Silva

Accessibility for Promenade: American Sign Language Interpreters – Benny Llamas, Julikka LaChe & Makeda Duncan; Audio Describer – Victor Cole

Administrative Support for Barak adé Soleil: Elizabeth Mudenyo, with additional support from NicK King

Documentation & Interview @MCA: Sam Clapp 

Further support for SHIFT project @MCA: Sandy Guttman and Laura Paige Kyber 

Much gratitude to Gadi Solis and Emmanuel Terrell, the film assistants in Chicago; Links Hall (Giau, Aaliyah, Pat, Mario & Stephanie); Access Living (Sharonda, Daisy); Audra Jacot; Rafael Loza; Maria Morales; Bonita Appleblunt; René Morales; Casey Van Wormer; Whitney A. Hill; Allen West; Michele Lee; Richard Costes; Rene Almazan; Esther Grisham Grimm; Suzy Grant; Aymar Jean Christian; Ancestors.

SHIFT: VIDEO INSTALLATION

Performance Art film and installation by Barak adé Soleil, featuring: aliyu abubakr, Terri Lynne Hudson, Aklilu Senbeta and Barak adé Soleil,  with Justin Cooper.   

Concept, direction, design: Barak adé Soleil

Collaborating digital design & editing: Geoffrey Albores

Contributing editing & digital design: Lowell Thomas

Filmmakers: Floyd C. Konde (London); Lowell Thomas (Chicago) 

Installation score curation: Barak adé Soleil

Installation score editing: Daniel Marcellus Givens, with additional editing by Paul Deuth & Matt Test

SHIFT: PROMENADE

Live event directed, designed, led by Barak adé Soleil with Terri Hudson, Aklilu Senbeta, Justin Cooper, Chernell L. Lane, Miss Alexis, Jumoke Taiwo, Genevieve Ramos, and Ry Douglas.

Community Organizer for Promenade: Justin Cooper

Community Associate for Promenade: Aklilu Senbeta

General Support for Barak adé Soleil: NicK King

General Support for Promenade: Gery Joyful Moore, Coman Poon, Denise Reese & Genevieva Silva

Accessibility for Promenade: American Sign Language Interpreters – Benny Llamas, Julikka LaChe & Makeda Duncan; Audio Describer – Victor Cole

Additional documentation for Promenade: Nikki Bruce

Promenade score curation: Barak adé Soleil

Promenade score editing: Daniel Marcellus Givens, with additional editing by Matt Test & Paul Deuth