Kendrick Lamar's "ELEMENT" video is full of direct references to photos shot by legendary American photographer Gordon Parks, and starting today, you can see the original pieces on display at a new art exhibit.
The Gordon Parks Foundation in Pleasantville, New York, is running the exhibit (titled “ELEMENT: Gordon Parks and Kendrick Lamar”) through February 9, 2018.
"Gordon Parks’ work is continuing to have a great impact on young people – and particularly on artists like Kendrick who, use the power of imagery to examine issues related to social justice and race in our country," explained Peter W. Kunhardt, Jr., Executive Director of The Gordon Parks Foundation, in a statement. "With ELEMENT the music video, Kendrick has helped to call attention to one of the most important artists of our time."
Swizz Beatz, who has been a longtime supporter of the Gordon Parks Foundation, added, "I’m so inspired that my friend Kendrick Lamar chose the iconic imagery of the legendary Gordon Parks in his video for ELEMENT. It’s a prime example of how contemporary change makers – artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers – can borrow from the greats of the past who were also working towards social change."
You can see a few examples of how directors Jonas Lindstroem and the Little Homies directly referenced Gordon Parks' work below. Find out more information about the exhibit at their website here.
