On April 12, 2025, the de Young Museum in San Francisco launched “Isaac Julien: I Dream a World,” an ambitious and visually arresting exhibition that redefines the boundaries of contemporary art. The showcase presents ten of Julien’s monumental video installations, offering visitors a multi-sensory experience centered on themes of race, gender, diaspora, and identity. Running through July 13, it marks the first major U.S. retrospective dedicated to the British artist and filmmaker, whose innovative approach to moving images has earned international acclaim.
This immersive journey is the museum’s first-ever exhibition focused solely on video art, and it sets a bold precedent. Visitors are drawn into multi-screen environments that disrupt traditional storytelling, weaving together past and present in striking ways. Julien’s works blend historical references with poetic imagery, prompting deep reflection on social justice and the global Black experience.
Breaking New Ground in Moving Image Art
Curated by the de Young’s Chief Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, the exhibition draws attention not only for its scale but for the depth of its message. Isaac Julien’s art is known for its cinematic richness and intellectual rigor. Each installation in “I Dream a World” immerses audiences in layered narratives that challenge and provoke.
At the heart of the show is Ten Thousand Waves, a monumental nine-screen piece that greets visitors in Wilsey Court. This emotionally charged work commemorates the 2004 tragedy in Morecambe Bay, where Chinese migrant workers lost their lives. Blending contemporary footage, Chinese myth, and historical reflection, Julien creates a haunting homage that lingers with viewers long after they leave.
Another standout piece, Lessons of the Hour, spans ten screens and delves into the life and legacy of 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass. It juxtaposes historic speeches with present-day imagery, drawing powerful parallels between Douglass’s era and current debates about civil rights and justice.
A Career of Vision and Impact
Julien’s career spans over four decades, and this exhibition offers a comprehensive look at his evolution as both artist and thinker. Early works such as Looking for Langston pay tribute to Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes, exploring themes of Black queer identity with an avant-garde flair. Meanwhile, Baltimore, featuring actor Melvin Van Peebles, is a love letter to Black cinema, fusing elements of Blaxploitation and Afrofuturism.
The exhibition also includes Julien’s most recent work, Once Again … (Statues Never Die). This piece explores the fraught history of African art collection and its display in Western museums. Set across five screens, it examines the intellectual exchange between art theorist Alain Locke and collector Albert Barnes, engaging in a sophisticated conversation about ownership, representation, and cultural memory.
Art That Moves and Challenges
Isaac Julien’s installations are more than just visually arresting—they demand participation. The viewer must move through each space, choosing where to look and what to absorb. This dynamic interaction creates a sense of intimacy and urgency, reinforcing the political and emotional weight of Julien’s themes.
Each room of the exhibit presents a new environment. Darkened spaces flicker with synchronized video loops, and surround-sound audio envelopes audiences in dialogue, music, and ambient soundscapes. The experience is part film, part sculpture, and part meditation—an artistic form uniquely Julien’s.
Exhibition Details
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Exhibition Title: Isaac Julien: I Dream a World
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Location: de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
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Dates: April 12 – July 13, 2025
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Features: Ten major installations including Ten Thousand Waves, Lessons of the Hour, Looking for Langston, and more
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Admission: Tickets available through the museum’s box office and website
A Must-See Cultural Experience
“I Dream a World” is more than a retrospective—it is a landmark cultural event. It offers a rare opportunity to engage deeply with one of the most important artists of our time. For audiences in San Francisco and beyond, this exhibit provides a chance to reflect on pressing social themes through a breathtaking artistic lens.
As visitors navigate the exhibition’s maze of screens, stories, and symbolism, they are invited to consider not only the world that Isaac Julien dreams of—but the one we all share.
