THROUGH A MIRROR, DARKLY revisits the turbulent 1970s, a decade of hopeful rebellions and catastrophic disappointments. For his new film, Mohaiemen focuses on a flashpoint in time: May 1970, when American students protesting domestic racism and overseas wars were met by state violence.

In the decades since, a memorial community has formed around the “four dead in Ohio.” Yet while the deaths of students Alison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder at Kent State, Ohio, are remembered, not many recall Phillip Lafayette Gibbs and James Earl Green, two students killed by police officers ten days later, at Jackson State College, Mississippi, a Historically Black College.

By choreographing the relationship between archival footage and contemporary ceremonies memorialising the dead, THROUGH A MIRROR, DARKLY, explores the role of memorials as a focal point for individual and collective grief.

Mohaiemen deftly presents intersecting strands, weaving together the voices of key political players, student leaders, and the fabled 'man on the street' alongside Vietnam veterans, to propose new interpretations of the events of May 1970 and their lasting impact.

Following the inaugural London presentation of the work by Artangel at Albany House (September – December 2025), the UK tour has been convened by Film and Video Umbrella and sees the work travel to Bonington Gallery, Nottingham Trent University (21 March - 9 May 2026) , The Hunterian, University of Glasgow (5 June - 11 October 2026), and John Hansard Gallery, Southampton University (24 October 2026 - 9 January 2027). 

--

Image: THROUGH A MIRROR, DARKLY at Bonington Gallery, Nottingham Trent University, 21 March - 9 May 2026. Photography by Jules Lister.

THROUGH A MIRROR, DARKLY by Naeem Mohaiemen.

Commissioned and produced by Artangel.

Commissioned in partnership with Film and Video Umbrella and Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University.

Supported by Experimenter.

The UK tour has been convened by Film and Video Umbrella. Exhibition Partners are The Hunterian, University of Glasgow, John Hansard Gallery, Southampton and Bonington Gallery, Nottingham.

Artangel, FVU and John Hansard Gallery are generously supported using public funding by Arts Council England.