Those Fluttering Objects of Desire/Short Version

This video was originally an installation at the Whitney Museum of American Art, part of which included the video collaboration Channels of Desire. Recreating coin-operated porno booths, Channels aired one photo image on seven TVs, interrupted only by the viewer inserting a coin and choosing a segment. The concept behind it was the construction of desire in categorical ways, the form of the piece speaking to sexual desire as something that is constantly evading the viewer. The images present women’s experiences with interracial, lesbian, and heterosexual encounters. Those Fluttering Objects of Desire also investigates the different construction of sexuality among white and black women, as well as multicultural readings.

Condensed from the full-length version, this excerpt of Those Fluttering Objects of Desire focuses on the lesbian tapes from the installation, including I’ve Never by Pamela Jennings, Vanilla Sex by Cheryl Dunye, What’s the Difference Between a Yam and a Sweet Potato? by Adriene Jenik and J. Evans, and Brown Sugar Licks Snow White by Robin Vachal and Suzie Silbar.