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An American Icon

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Video by Sophie Chao
Assisted by Tresean
Bayu Adji

"An American Icon" is a video project that explores the journey of asian people being glorified and decimated throughout Western Media. Within a layered visual narrative, the work examines the contradictions between patriotism and betrayal.

The piece juxtaposes sweeping, idealized imagery of American identity—rooted in ideals of freedom and power—with stark representations of the mistreatment and misrepresentation of Asian culture on the silver screen. The music accompanying the visuals evokes a sense of pride, while the imagery subverts this feeling, highlighting the tension between the glorification of Western narratives and the distortion of Asian voices.

At its core, "An American Icon" is a visualized artist statement that critiques the undertones of Americana. It reflects on how American media both elevates and diminishes cultural identities, asking viewers to confront the complex layers of pride, exclusion, and betrayal that define the American experience


Duration:
4:38

Icons (in order of apperance)

Gracie Films
WTF BOOM
Travis Scott (Fe!n)
Django Unchained
The Ballad of John and Yoko
Elvis in Hawaii
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Nope
The Wild Horses of Assateague
Captain America
Yoko Ono Cut Piece
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Big Boss Intro
Kill Bill
Suki Yaki Western Django
Elvis (If I can Dream)
Enter the Dragon
Minari
Sweaty Elvis
Broke Back Mountain
Taylor Swift White Horse
Elvis and Priscilla
Tsar Bomb
Go Go Power Rangers
Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
Transformers
Benni Hanna
Screaming Cowboy
Thelma and Louise

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