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Tramaine Townsend, SALLAD, 2022, Installation view at the AURORA Biennial 2024: FuturePresentPast, Photo by Kelly McNett
Tramaine Townsend:
Sallad
Video Projection
SALLAD (2022) is a culmination of the people, places, and cultural influences that have shaped Tramaine Townsend’s journey. It captures timeless moments that project a collective effort into the future. Townsend aims to foster a broader dialogue through visual storytelling, placing culture at the forefront. He features diverse subcultures of Black people in Dallas, portrayed in ways they might not have seen before. Each vignette in SALLAD captures a captivating moment, inviting viewers to reflect on their past, present, and future. Over 24 minutes, the film weaves together unused footage and selected scenes from the final cut, presented on a continuous loop. Projected on a grand 32-foot-wide screen, the visuals create an immersive mosaic. The entire work is meticulously synchronized, both visually and sonically, offering a cohesive experience that envelops the audience in its rhythmic flow.
Bio
Tramaine Townsend is a visual artist and advocate for aesthetics, with his works often serving as narrative vehicles. He creates bodies of work that tell stories, either contained within the pieces or contributing to a larger, evolving concept. His minimal approach is marked by precise production and thoughtful design, utilizing simple and direct imagery to craft experiences for viewers.
With years of experience in production and post-production, Townsend has worked across numerous industries, including advertising, branding, marketing, and entertainment. His roles have often extended to art and creative direction for specific projects. Starting with photography, he expanded into filmmaking and directing, producing fashion films, music videos, and commercial projects. Townsend remains actively involved in the art community, both locally and internationally, through exhibitions, events, and installations.