Join New York-based artist Maren Hassinger for an online screening of her video “Birthright” (2005), sponsored by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative.

“Birthright” unfolds around a central encounter between the artist and her uncle, whom she meets for the first time. The twelve-minute video documents Hassinger learning about her father’s family history--what the artist describes as a “history of a Black family in the aftermath of slavery.”

During the virtual event, Hassinger will teach attendees how to twist newspaper, a meditative ritual she performs throughout the course of the video. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own newspaper to the screening and conversation. This event anticipates Hassinger’s related performance next spring, commissioned by National Portrait Gallery as part of its IDENTIFY series dedicated to performance art and portraiture.

Free and open to the public. Registration required.

This project received support from the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative. Learn more: womenshistory.si.edu
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Image Credit: “Birthright” by Maren Hassinger, video, color, sound, (12:12 mins), 2005. Edition of 3 plus 2 artist’s proofs. Courtesy of Susan Inglett Gallery, NYC