Justyne Fischer: Social Justice Printmaker

Inspired by DJ Spooky’s “Rebirth of a Nation”, Fischer’s “Birth of a Nation” examines the legacy of deep-rooted racism within American systems and institutions. This installation piece hangs high and looms above the viewer with ominous command. In Fischer’s “Birth of a Nation”, Blackness is seen as evil and Black on Black crime a result of self-hatred manifested through racism. The chains of slavery are perpetuated through police subjugation and a criminal justice system built on implicit bias. This print installation features a double layered print. The wall hanging print is hand-colored while the floating second print remains black and white. The translucency of the prints references the fragility of American beliefs while the movement of the hanging print creates the illusion of the Klansmen marching. Fischer crowns this layered installation with a translucent Klan hood equipped with LED lights. The flickering lights allude to the Klan’s burning crosses and flames of hatred. As D.W. Griffith’s 1915 film “Birth of a Nation” is known for reviving the Klan in America, in 2017, Trump is known for encouraging and recognizing Unite the Right as, “very fine people”. The more things change, the more they remain the same.