Video Title- White In Public - Jeny Smith

Title: The Canvas and the Gaze: Deconstructing Jeny Smith’s "White In Public"

Methodology

1. High-Key Lighting in Natural Settings: Even on overcast days, the post-production adds a soft glow around Smith’s figure, creating a halo effect. This religious or ethereal symbolism suggests purity, but Smith subverts it by walking past graffiti, trash cans, and rush-hour traffic—juxtaposing the sacred with the profane.
2. The Contamination Motif: Throughout the 12-minute video, viewers watch Smith avoid puddles, dirty benches, and food vendors. The tension is not external (nobody attacks her) but internal: the anxiety of keeping the white unblemished. This serves as a metaphor for the performative purity demanded of public figures.
3. Sound Design: The audio track layers city noise (horns, chatter, footsteps) with a haunting minimalist piano score. Whenever Smith touches a surface or another person brushes against her, a sharp “scratch” sound disrupts the melody, emphasizing the fragility of her chosen aesthetic.

The Video: The video "White in Public" features Jeny Smith, an American performance artist and activist. In the video, Smith walks through a predominantly non-white neighborhood, wearing a white mask that covers her entire face. The mask is designed to make her appear white. Video Title- White In Public - Jeny Smith