Artist’s statement: “Beginning” is part of my video series exploring aspects of the emotional experience of African Americans in time and space. My intent with this piece is to create an impressionistic vision of the freedmen’s waking and journey seeking freedom. Some viewers have commented on the images, music, and movement; others have found personal or social commentary in this video. The source materials for “Beginnings” are in the public domain and have been modified and adapted for this video. The music is my arrangement using Garage Band loops.