Rashaad Newsome’s Visionary Manifesto Celebrating Black Joy
**Exploring Rashaad Newsome’s *Assembly*: A Vision Beyond Documentary**
Rashaad Newsome’s *Assembly* defies the limitations of traditional documentary filmmaking, offering a rich tapestry of performance, technology, and communal experience that extends far beyond merely capturing a moment. At the heart of *Assembly* is Newsome’s immersive, multisensory performance at the Park Avenue Armory in March 2022, a work that merges live choreography, digital projections, and interactive workshops into a ritual that audiences do not just watch but actively participate in.
The performance is anchored in themes of decolonization, healing, and Black queer futurity, brought to life under the guidance of a virtual AI entity known as “Being.” This digital presence acts as both guide and provocateur, leading participants through meditative exercises and challenging reflections. During each chapter of the performance, the integration of various artistic elements—ballroom dance, poetry, speculative tech—forms not only a narrative but a living experience. The documentary captures this unfolding narrative with an intimate lens, moving beyond the surface to delve into the collaborative spirit that fuels the project.
*Assembly* makes deliberate room for the voices and stories of its performers and collaborators, drawing a parallel to earlier works like Jennie Livingston’s *Paris Is Burning*, yet distinguishing itself with an insider’s empathy and agency. This narrative positioning transforms Newsome from a documenter of culture to a curator and creator within it. The cinematography by Johnny Symons oscillates perfectly between the grandiose and the personal, presenting candid moments as deliberate testaments to the work’s depth.
Central to the film is the presence of AI, which forgo conventional storytelling for a narrative that is speculative and enlivened. This AI component serves as a reminder of *Assembly*’s broader ambition: it is not only documenting a creation, it is actively participating. In a striking workshop scene, a participant’s critique of AI highlights the complex dialogue between technology and humanity—a dialogue that acknowledges skepticism but also recognizes the potential for tech as a tool of expression.
*Assembly* aligns itself with a lineage of Black innovation; it’s a space where technological tools are not feared, but wielded with purpose, echoing historical instances of Black creativity pushing boundaries. Rashaad Newsome’s use of AI technology symbolizes a reclaiming of narrative space, where futurism is defined and designed by those it represents.
The film does not strive to simplify or cater to audiences unfamiliar with its themes; instead, it invites engagement on its own terms, maintaining the full complexity and authenticity of its subjects. *Assembly* offers a richly layered exploration of identity, technology, and art that progresses from intriguing to deeply moving, capturing not just a performance, but a multifaceted presence.
Ultimately, *Assembly* is a testament to the possibilities of intentional artistic creation and community building. It challenges viewers to recognize the perpetual dance between past constraints and future freedoms, asserting that the vibrant future of Black queer culture is not a distant hope but a present reality being actively shaped. This is a work that does not just dream of possibilities – it crafts them with every performance, every interaction, every frame.