Baby, [Hackers] are we, 2021
2015
In this piece, Jackson’s alter ego, Confuserella, journeys from the fictional world of Panrika to Plastica to examine the history, conditions, and origins of blues music. Using stop-motion animation, 3-D compositing, sound design, and archival footage, the video juxtaposes scenes of racially motivated violence with moments from everyday Black life, underscoring the coexistence of brutality and normalcy in Black communities. The reference to “blues” extends beyond the musical genre to the color itself, symbolizing an effort to “turn down” the intensity of trauma so that healing can occur. Jackson’s wider body of work–including video, animation, performance, and sculpture–continues to explore historical memory and cultural identity. Watch an excerpt here.