PAPAYA - Kelady

Colorism is defined as “prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group.” Papaya refers to the Philippine whitening soap that is used to bleach or lighten skin – to “treat” the look of being darker toned. The video and song express an experiential response to colorism (“Skin on fire/I’m a start up a riot”) and empower skin as is.
 

Drawing from lyrics on the sun’s power and perceptions of “cleansing,” textured layers of scanned whitening soap on plastic and overexposed cyanotype dyed paper (emulsion ink developed in the sunshine to reach a darker value) were used to present the materiality analogous to flesh and chemicals. 

The animation features rotoscoping as a translation that emphasizes tracing the body. With this in mind, “Papaya” heightens its rich dark background through only the rendering of highlights on the figure’s skin. The choreographic elements and formation combat the heaviness of a chaotic memory and a haunting nightmare. Through the aggressive mark-making and scribbly slashing lines, the lyrical narrative frames in on the traumas of beauty and culture's dictatorial power over one's body while creating a space to bask in confidence and to take control.

Credits

Direction and Animation
Kelsey Boncato

Codirection and Coedit
Daniel Oldham

Music Production
danyo

Music
Kelady