Provocative Black Queer Art

This project is a layered compilation of multidisciplinary forms which capture the processes of humans and how we present our identity. As black, queer femnes, . Laith and I are both on a physical journey of transition. Laith who prefers the pronouns they/them/she/hers is transitioning from assigned male at birth to female. I PhaeMonae who prefers the pronouns she/her/hers/they is a queer mother of 2 toddlers transitioning physically, mentally, and spiritually to a more connected and healthier self. This project is an opportunity for humans to incubate in a safe haven of creation and community to explore a physical practice of getting to know this new and evolving sense of self. Laith is a writer, activist, and mover. PhaeMonae is a singer, movement engineer, and costume designer. We plan to use our multifaceted talents to show the nuanced layers of our complex identities. Creating environments that immerse our audiences in what would normally be very private and intimate experiences. It is provocative, it is black, it is fine art, and it is queer. The idea is to make something pretty that embraces our bodies in each level of our transitions and glorifies this appreciation for the self.

To be a maker without funding often times means that our creation projects and incubation time is all pretty much self funded. Although the intention of the work and art-making in general is typically for the artist it is also for the public. In order to make our visions become full of life we need funding. We want you to be absorbed into these Big Dreams . We see this project in all its layers as an opportunity for community engagement while also questioning a lot of ways that we not only view art from black queer bodies but also how we talk about it. We want to immerse you into these internal conversations and environments inside of our minds. To do that we need funding. As a mover often people think we do not need much but our bodies and an outfit, but what about the limitless ability a person can have with a little bit of funding. With layering these multi-disciplinary forms and creating sensory experiences there is the potential to execute because of you all and your kind donations. These layers take resources and warm bodies to make them happen. If you want to support our Black Queer art please give to our campaign and share it with everyone you know.

The first iteration of this project will be Coming soon. The goal is to have 4 other moving artist (6 total) each working with their own transitional voyages and several working parts of collaborators. Those collaborators for sound, space, a cinematographer, a photographer, hair and make-up artist, costume designers, set-designs, producers, etc. and the list goes on all need to be funded. Grant writing is a way that we are sourcing funding for this project but we all know those take time and the art is always being made. We see this as being an ongoing project to shift within different spaces and maybe even a growing cast of movers and collaborators. If you do feel inclined to donate we will offer a free +1 ticket to Iteration 1 with some special VIP surprises later on.

This note comes with Love, support your local artist!