Syracuse Sun

Light Work’s Urban Video Project is set to present an exhibition titled "Lines of Flight," showcasing short films by multimedia artist Joiri Minaya and filmmaker Miryam Charles. The exhibition delves into themes such as displacement, immigration, invasion, exploration, and escape.

The exhibition will be held from February 27 to May 24, 2025, using the Everson Museum facade as its architectural projection venue. Additionally, more of Joiri Minaya's work can be viewed at the Syracuse University Museum in a show called “Joiri Minaya: Unseeing the Tropics at the Museum” until May 10, 2025.

A screening and Q&A session with both artists will take place on Thursday, March 20 at Watson Theater across from Light Work’s galleries.

One of the featured works is Joiri Minaya's "Labadee," a short video documenting a Royal Caribbean cruise trip in Labadee, Haiti. The film examines dynamics within this privately managed space leased to Royal Caribbean until 2050. It juxtaposes Columbus' diary entries with contemporary footage to explore tourism's impact in the Caribbean and its colonial roots.

Miryam Charles presents "Fly, Fly Sadness," where a nuclear explosion alters voices on an island. A journalist visits to investigate but experiences her own transformation.

Joiri Minaya is recognized for destabilizing representations of tropical identity through her multidisciplinary art. She has studied at various institutions including Parsons The New School for Design and participated in several residency programs. Her accolades include awards from NYSCA/NYFA and others.

Miryam Charles is a Haitian-Canadian director known for exploring exile and colonization themes. Her work has been showcased internationally, including her feature film “Cette Maison,” which was highlighted at prominent festivals like Berlinale and AFI Film Festival.