BEING THERE

VIGNETTES

In the photo series, “Being There,'“ Omar Victor Diop inserts himself into the white, privileged American world of birthdays, graduations, vacations, dinners, and various other celebrations during the 1950s and ‘60s; a time fraught with segregation. To say that I was blown away by this work is an understatement.

I couldn’t help but wonder ‘What if these photos were real?’, ‘Under what context would a Black man be a part of this world’?, and ‘WHAT WOULD THE STORY BE HERE?'

So I decided to make them up.

I chose a few pictures from the collection and wrote little vignettes for each. I also made the dishes that are featured in each vignette. Why? Well, because I’m me and it wouldn’t be a Sutanya production if food wasn’t involved some way, some how.

“A Change of Course” is a light-hearted meet the family scenario that should’ve been a disaster, but, ultimately, love won as always.

“Ghosts” is a story that reminds us we can never really runaway from the consequences of actions.

The tension in this photo grabbed my attention. The juxtaposition of the visibly uncomfortable older white couple next to the smirking Black man was too good not to dig into. In my interpretation of this scene, the guest is aware of the discomfort caused by his presence. However, he finds the entire situation comical and takes pleasure in seeing his hosts squirm as they’re “Playing Nice”.

The character portrayed by Omar Victor Diop takes on a supporting role in “The Beauty of Betrayal”. The focus shifts to Linda (far right on the photo, blue and white top, cute bob), who finds herself in a little pickle after breaking a promise she made to her mother. 

Naughty, naughty. 

But fear not! ☝🏾 Linda’s rebellion lends itself to a bigger lesson. Sometimes a negative start can lead to an unexpected positive outcome and growth. 

In this vignette, “Shaken Not Stirred: Echoes of Resilience,” we are observers of an intimate moment of oral history exchange between grandparent and grandchild. Finding an old photo leads to an unexpected conversation, unveiling a legacy rich with resilience, triumph, pride, and determination. I hope this vignette reminds us of our innate strength and resilience, and the soul-nourishing power of shared moments with those who we care for deeply—paired, perhaps, with a perfectly balanced martini. 

Disclaimer: This project is entirely independent and not affiliated in any manner with Omar Victor Diop, Lee Schulman, or their book.