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art
Kota Ezawa's “National Anthem” VIA Whitney Museum
Kota Ezawa, National Anthem (Denver Broncos), 2018. Watercolor on paper, 9 x 19 in. ![Kota Ezawa, National Anthem (Denver Broncos), 2018. Watercolor on paper, 9 x 19 in.](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472beba1fafcbdf3e8e0a4a_KotaEzawa-NationalAnthemFLAUNT.jpeg) Kota Ezawa, National Anthem (Denver Broncos), 2018. Watercolor on paper, 9 x 19 in. As The Black Lives Matter Movement continues to amass across the country in protests and social action intitiaves, many Americans are experiencing reservations with celebrating Independence Day this year. Freedom and independence is experiencing an overhaul. In support of the uprise against police brutality and centuries of systemic racism, the [Whitney Museum](https://whitney.org/) will screen Kota Ezawa's [National Anthem](https://whitney.org/events/whitney-screens-kota-ezawa) on Friday, July 3, at 7 pm EST. Since the artist’s 2002 debut video animation, _The Simpson Verdict,_ Ezawa has been known for creating light-boxes, videos, and works on paper that distill found images from current events in the media into his signature pared-down, flattened style. _National Anthem_ was inspired by the actions of former San Francisco 49ers football player, Colin Kaepernick, who famously took a knee during the National Anthem as an act of protest against police brutality. Kaepernick remains an unsigned player after years of struggling to be accepted back into the league, but his act has become synonymous with Black Lives Matter. The artwork explores issues of race, violence, and politics, and their place in the media. Watch the film [here](https://whitney.org/whitney-screens?ajs_uid=3315162), which will remain streaming on Vimeo through July 5th. Kota Ezawa\_FLAUNT.png ![Kota Ezawa_FLAUNT.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1593792922038-5P252E75Z2ZRGF5CNXAU/Kota+Ezawa_FLAUNT.png)