Compton Cipher features collaborations between Compton artists and artists in different parts of the world. The cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary process is documented through videography and photography. The project sparks essential conversations about artists and their experiences as determined by history, culture, and place, and connects artists who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to work together.

Producers in each city then find unique and compelling ways to share collaborations with their communities both virtually and physically.   

Compton Cipher: Panama

March 2023 – September 2023

Compton Cipher: Panama followed four artists from Compton and four artists from Panama as they formed pairs and participated in a call-and-response exchange in their respective mediums.  

Videographers in each city visited the artists to talk about their work and their partners. Below are both the documentary directed by Randy Navarro, and a slide presentation sharing the call-and-response exchange between the artists.  Enjoy! 

Featured Artists

Giana De Dier - Panama

Jenise Miller - Compton

Kendall McKella - Panama

Rosalind McGary - Compton

Fabio Wood - Panama

Charles Dickson - Compton

Miriam Lee - Panama

Anthony Pittman - Compton

Film Directed by Randy Navarro

Produced by Sēpia Collective

Filmed in Compton by Marquell Byrd

Filmed in Panama by Randy Navarro

Artist exchange presentation

Compton Cipher: Panama Documentary Short

Compton Cipher: Amsterdam

November 2020 - January 2021

Produced by:

Method Audio - Amsterdam

Untold - Amsterdam

Sēpia Collective - Compton

Featured Artists

Jenise Miller - Compton

Justin Hall - Amsterdam

Rosalind McGary - Compton

Maikel Deekman - Amsterdam

Kaya Fortune - Compton

Elaisa Van Der Kust - Amsterdam

Note: 

Compton Cipher: Amsterdam was a series of intimate conversations between artists in Amsterdam and artists in Compton.  These conversations were to culminate in live performances based at the African Diaspora Performing Arts Festival (ADPAF) in Amsterdam, but it was cancelled due to Covid.  Below is video documentation taken by videographers in Amsterdam prior to the festival: