I See You See Me | noted

A moment at FilmScene featuring Miguel Espiritu’s photograph as it appeared in Kyleigh Devine’s video screening of “I See You See Me” on September 20th, 2026.

Images created by ISYSM participants Talya Miller and Pensée Ishmael

After days of rain this late September, audience members stepped into the warm, sheltered glow of FilmScene’s theater three to witness the premiere of Kyleigh Devine’s video "I  See You See Me.” Created throughout the summer, the film follows Begin Collective’s 2026 Iowa City cohort of artists, highlighting their work, their conversations, and the community that formed around making together. The video documents portions of each artists’ photographic work alongside compelling statement narrations.

In the instance pictured at left, the screen is momentarily filled with a photograph created by Miguel Espiritu. This black & white image conflates distant places; a photo of Manila’s Light Rail Transit (by Sofia Paderes) is juxtaposed with the weathered railroad of the Espiritu’s new home of Iowa City. To experience a more complete version of I See You See Me visit the project website here. The Iowa City summer cohort includes Pensée Ismael, Jessie Keary, Talya Miller, Esé Emmanuel, Miguel Espiritu, Jace Meister, Noah Evans, Brooklynn Jacobs, and Ivy Starz.

Also, in partnership with Little/Big Photo Collective, the afternoon included a Little Queer Show exhibit in the form of a mini print vending machine showcasing images by participant artists.

Congrats again to riel, Bianca, Kyleigh, and all the artists involved with this project!

Review participant work + details:
www.begincollective.com/isysm
Learn even more about Begin Collective here.

Support for this work is provided by Big Field Fund (BFF), a program of Public Space One. Funding is provided by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.