The King + I

The King + I is a portrait of my uncle and friend, Derrick Caines (born with Down Syndrome, later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease). The project is an audio/video installation presented as a custom-built, 19th century-inspired stereoscopic cabinet. Subtly filling the room, the soundtrack emission from the cabinet is Derrick’s a-capella version of “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley. Viewable from within the mahogany cabinet through a stereoscopic eyepiece is a 21-minute 3D video of Derrick.

The project was made with generous support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council. Posted here is video documentation of the project. Thank you to Andrea Vander Kooij for her participation.

Video Installation . Cliff Caines
Director of Photography . Ryan Randall
Cabinet . Matt Hemming