Growing up watching shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Moesha I couldn't help but dream about stepping into those worlds. The spaces our favorite Black characters inhabited weren't just beautiful backdrops – they were powerful storytelling tools that shaped how we saw ourselves and what we believed was possible.
I'm thrilled to announce my newest video essay dropping next week:
Black TV Interiors: More Than Just Set Design
This project has been close to my heart for years. I'll be analyzing ten revolutionary Black TV and movie interiors that changed how we see ourselves on screen – spanning from the 1960s through today's most influential shows.
Here's a preview of what you'll see next week:
How certain controversial spaces sparked important conversations about authentic representation
Why some iconic homes became groundbreaking statements about Black identity
The visual language of Black home life across different decades
How set design evolved from simply housing characters to telling complex stories about Black life
When bell hooks critiqued Spike Lee's "Crooklyn," she reminded us that even seemingly neutral spaces carry political weight. Every design choice makes a statement about Black life in America.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified when this drops next week!
I can't wait to share this exploration of how the spaces we see on screen influence the spaces we create in our own lives.
Stay true to your style,
Ari
P.S. Which Black TV interior influenced your design aesthetic the most? Reply to this post and let me know!
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