Transform, 2026, Video
- Medium
- Two-channel colour film no audio.
- Dimensions
- Duration: 3 minutes.
Multidisciplinary artist Sonia Boyce presents _Transform_, a new film exploring the sensorial impact of kaleidoscopic movement and informed by patterning techniques developed over the artist’s 40-year career.
_Transform_ emerges from a larger body of film and photographic documentation generated over two days at the Queens Museum in October 2025. Boyce facilitated performances with a diverse group of New Yorkers, artists, and educators, in which participants were invited to make, sing, speak, or move to open up new possibilities for play and social exchange. _Transform_ shows artist Koyoltzintli demonstrating gestures from her Andean Animal Movements workshop, connecting the sun, body, and spirit through ancestral knowledge sharing practices. The workshop was offered to community members who attended the opening ceremony for the Museum's Día de Muertos ofrenda, combining the principles of sun energy with the movements of animals who are foundational to Andean cosmology. Rooted in the interplay between the physical and spiritual realms, each animal represents one of the three planes of existence: the condor in the sky world, the ocelot in the earth world, and the snake in the subterranean world.
By mirroring, repeating, and fragmenting photographic stills and video from the shoot, Boyce creates a surreal portrayal of Koyoltzintli's movements. These geometric techniques both extend the reach of the performer's actions and augment the viewer's perception of each gesture, encouraging the eye to relax and lose focus.
_Transform_ points simultaneously in two directions: the transformative intentions of these sacred rituals, and the way that the moving image itself can shapeshift and take on an otherworldly quality through repeated pattern as transmutation.
June’s Midnight Moment is presented in partnership with the Queens Museum on the occasion of Sonia Boyce’s solo exhibition Demonstrate, on view June 27, 2026 – January 31, 2027.
“There is something life-affirming and transfixing about Koyoltzintli’s movements, in which she invites us all to harness the positive energy that surrounds us every day. Times Square is known all over the world as a beacon of spectacular light and cosmopolitan energy and so it feels exciting and fitting that the spectrum of light and energy in _Transform_ finds its place in such an iconic context.” — Sonia Boyce
Film Credits
Transform, 2026 A film by Sonia Boyce Director: Michelle Tofi Performer: Koyoltzintli Cameras: Maggie Brill, Brian Gonzalez, Sean Hanley Stills Photography: Aarony Bailey, Sonia Boyce Producer: Niamh Sullivan, Lindsey Berfond Editor: Michelle Tofi Colour Grade and VFX: RunVT Co-Commissioner: Queens Museum
Times Square Photo Credits: Michael Hull
Transform series
Related theme: Performance
Transform
2026
Selina
2025
Bridie's daughter (Yewa)
2025
Ope
2025
Dancers cast silhouette
2025
Very dark Ope
2025
Entering the Disco
2025
Man, glass of wine
2025
Blue jacket
2025
Silhouette
2025
Two in motion together (Ere & Toyin)
2025
Michael & swishing braids 03
2025
Michael & swishing braids 02
2025
Michael & swishing braids 01
2025
Orange scarf (Sola)
2025
Purple Lights (Lisa)
2025
Merriment Lights
2025
Judah
2025
Hands up
2025
Grey Jumper
2025
Green light (Kate)
2025
Backlit
2025
Silent Disco
2025
BENEVOLENCE
2024
Put Your Hands Together
2024
On My Way
2022
In the Mix: Hippy Liberty
2022
Family Gorgeous Smudged
2022
In the Mix: Mel & Kim Respect
2022
In the Mix: Skunk Sputnik
2022
In the Mix: Shirley Songs
2022
In the Mix: Disciples Together
2022
FEELING HER WAY
2022
Ain't Misbehavin'
2022
Yes, I Hear You
2022
In the Mix: Alexandra B’s Dress
2022
P. P. Arnold / Just call me angel of the morning
2021
Sade / The Sweetest Taboo
2021
Sheila Chandra / Ever so lonely MONSOON
2021
Shirley Bassey / Goldfinger
2021
Miss Elizabeth Welch 1933 – 1940 / a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square
2021
Polystyrene / X-ray Spex OH BONDAGE UP YOURS!
2021
The Audition
1997 - printed 2018
Six Acts
2018
We move in her way
2017
Paper Tiger Whisky Soap Theatre (Dada Nice)
2016
Just One Minute More
2016-2022
Exquisite Cacophony
2015
Move
2013
Dance of Belém
2011
Gather:Justicia
2010
Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010
Taken
2009
Drift
2008
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
Crop Over
2007
For you, only you
2007
Exquisite Tension
2006
1930s to 1960s – The Rivington Place Portfolio
2006
Devotional II
2005
Devotional, 2004
2004
Related theme: Participatory / Collaboration
Transform
2026
Silent Disco
2025
Selina
2025
Bridie's daughter (Yewa)
2025
Ope
2025
Dancers cast silhouette
2025
Very dark Ope
2025
Entering the Disco
2025
Man, glass of wine
2025
Blue jacket
2025
Silhouette
2025
Two in motion together (Ere & Toyin)
2025
Michael & swishing braids 03
2025
Michael & swishing braids 02
2025
Michael & swishing braids 01
2025
Orange scarf (Sola)
2025
Purple Lights (Lisa)
2025
Merriment Lights
2025
Judah
2025
Hands up
2025
Grey Jumper
2025
Green light (Kate)
2025
Backlit
2025
BENEVOLENCE
2024
FEELING HER WAY
2022
Yes, I Hear You
2022
Family Gorgeous Smudged
2022
Ain't Misbehavin'
2022
The Audition in Colour
1997 - printed 2020
In the Castle of My Skin
2020 - 2021
Six Acts
2018
The Audition
1997 - printed 2018
We move in her way
2017
Paper Tiger Whisky Soap Theatre (Dada Nice)
2016
Exquisite Cacophony
2015
Move
2013
Dance of Belém
2011
Oh Adelaide (with Ain Bailey)
2010
Gather:Justicia
2010
Taken
2009
Drift
2008
Devotional Wallpaper and Placards
2008 - 2018
Crop Over
2007
For you, only you
2007
Exquisite Tension
2006
Devotional II
2005
Devotional, 2004
2004
Tongues
1997
Untitled (Kiss)
1995
They're Almost Like Twins
1995