Jaargang

VII – # 2 – February 2016

To the Choir

Some things never seem to change. From Facebook to the Vatican the censors have resumed their heavy task of protecting others from art’s pernicious influence. We may be used to it by now. But shouldn’t we be worried that it is always nudity that is censored and never bigotry. But what to do? Perhaps this new GLIMP! will inspire you to lift a few fig leaves. Enjoy.

Erfman

Ferdinand Erfman. Nederlands beste naïef

. I am afraid the title of this review only adds another misunderstanding to the many already surrounding the enigmatic artist Ferdinand Erfman (1901-1968). But one look at his work must make clear that it just doesn’t fit in with the corpus of naïve painting. Ok, the imagery of his work looks weird compared with Dutch painting of the period –one might see him as a frontrunner of the neo-realists- but not all outsiders are naïve… The catalogue accompanying the review seems to concur but not whole heartedly calling his style neoclassist –almost equally silly-. But the monograph has yet to be presented (and read). Meanwhile we’ll have do with an article by art historian Mieke Rijnders in Museumtijdschrift (# 1, jan/feb 2016):

Getroebleerde blik op vrouwen

-Troubled look at women. And though a very informative introduction to his life and work she is also captivated by his mystery (“Momumental women and Travesti dominated the life..”, etc) without shedding any new light as if feminist and queer theory have nothing added to art-history’s toolbox in the past decades. But perhaps the catalogue has something new to offer. ISBN: 97894 625 81203. € 19,95. In Gorssel till May 29. More: www.museummore.nl

.

Lievelingen

*

Close-Up – A New Generation of Film and Video Artists in the Netherlands

. A groupshow in Amsterdam. Among the participants is Melanie Bonajo, showing her video installation

Night Soil – Economy of Love.

And every fortnight Close-up will present a new group of talents from an art

academy in a special project space of the exhibition. Till May 22. More: www.eyefilm.nl

. * Pam Emmerik (1964-2015) was preparing her

Maanmensen

exhibition when she suddenly passed away july 3. In Rotterdam till February 28. More: www.boijmans.nl

. * Sylvia B presents a series of new works (sculptures) together with photographs by Mohau Modisakeng (SA). Amsterdam February 27 April 2. More: www.ronmandos.nl

. En www.sylvia-b.com

. *

Imilonji Yembali (Melodies of History).

First solo of Nicholas Hlobo (SA) in the Netherlands. February 12-May 15 in Den Haag. More: www.beeldenaanzee.nl

.

Pride Photo Nijmegen

* No real news from Pride Photo Nijmegen other than that the 2016 edition will start later this year. * For now –in Nijmegen- we’ll have do with two interesting exhibitions of photography. * German artist Isabella Wenzel takes part in both. In her photographs –taken with a – she looks into embodiment, the relation between object, space and time using her own body as the performative object (see pic). Galerie Bart opens a small groupshow (also showing paintings by Stephanie Hoekstra and more photographs by Jannemarein Renout –she researches new methods of perception) January 31 (4pm). Till March 11. More: www.galeriebartnijmegen.nl

. * Isabelle Wenzel also takes part in the We Like Art exhibition Size Matters in Enschede. Till February 7. More about this cute concept (you buy a small & cheap piece of art without knowing who made it) and the 100 artists that take part in it at the Tetem-site . *

Photography Extended III

is a more ambitious exhibition that claims to present a review of contemporary Dutch staged photography. It probably does but from a rather one-sided perspective. Most of the photographers presented research some formal aspect of the space, time and object relationship. Earlier editions looked into other aspects of embodiment (eg Risk Hazekamp’s queering genderidentity, or Erwin Olaf’s explorations of queer imagery –no transgressions into linear arts this time). Among the dozen photographers presented is not only Isabella Wenzel but also POP-up Pride 2013 participant Jacquie Maria Wessels –who explores the limits of the traditional documentary tradition. Opening February 14 (3pm). In Nijmegen till May 8. More: www.museumhetvalkhof.nl

.

Lightly

During the Ceramix exhibition the Maastricht Bonnefanten museum already proudly presented

Memory Jar

a recently acquired vase by Perry. After reading and enjoying the impressive catalogue of that show I must admit that I really didn’t do justice (in previous GLIMP!) to what must have been an equally beautiful and important exhibition. The Museum acquired more works by Perry (etchings and even a tapestry) and now seems to celebrate this with

Hold your beliefs lightly

, a solo by the artist. But the Turnerprize winner of 2003 is presented as an

eccentric

and

heterosexual, transvestite potter

in Maastricht. Well let’s just say that Perry must by now be used to that sort of straight pr shit. And let’s just say that the museum is still getting used to a new policy

aimed at showing artists representing

the secret canon and telling unknown narratives away from art history’s mainstream and only visible from the corner of an eye

. Well at least something like that and ok, I tried avoiding the words queer and glimpse. Patience, patience, one can’t have all at once. Opening is February 26 and the exhibition lasts till June 5. To be continued. More: www.bonnefanten.nl

. * Ceramix – From Rodin to Schütte. ISBN 97894 6161 2519. € 39 (worth every penny!). The show now moves to Paris where it will open March 9. More: www.lamaisonrouge.org

.

Nieuws

* The

David Bowie

exhibition in

Groningen

has indeed become the blockbuster I predicted but for all the wrong reasons. It has been prolonged to April 10. Online ticket reservation is advised: www.davidbowie-gronigen.nl

and more about extra opening hours www.groningermuseum.nl

. * Exhibition about the

Sistaaz of the Castle

fashion project. The sisters in question are transgenders working the streets of Kaapstad (South Africa, see pic). Photographer

Jan Hoek

and fashion-designer

Duran Lantink

were inspired by their life and colourful choice of garments. The project was part of the Amsterdam Fashion week and is still on in the

Amsterdam

branch of

Concrete

where you can buy their fan-shirts showing portraits of the

Sistaaz

. Till February 4. More: www.concrete.nl

. *

Jan Hoek

is also exhibiting in

Antwerp

. His show Shooting Stars is on till February 14. More: www.fotomuseum.be

. * The book

Mythen van Gender

is a parting gift for retiring genderstudies professor Willy Jansen. It is a collection of almost 40 essays about gender by her friends and colleagues. Inspiring and thought provoking little pieces inspired by Ronald Barthes

Mythologies

. Of special interest to us

Gender als Trans/formatie

by Louis van den Hengel about the work of photographer

Risk Hazekamp

and

Boliviaanse beelden van een majestueuze macho-maagd

by Sanne Derks where we suddenly come across the controversial works of

Alma Lopez

. ISBN 97894 6004 2546. € 19,95. *

Carol

is hitting the wide screens. The film is more or less based on the lesbian pulp story

The Price of Salt

by Claire Morgan (aka Patricia Highsmith). The

Amsterdam

based International HomoLesbisch Informatiecentrum & Archief, center for LGBT heritage is having a show of lesbian pulp novels from their collection. With lots of interesting stories about (the censorship of) the novels and about their authors. But while they are the eye candy of the exhibition hardly any info is given

about the artists responsible for the book’s covers that still trigger our imagination. Opens February 4 (6:30pm). In Amsterdam till April 1. More: www.ihlia.nl

. * The famous play

They are just kids

about life and times of

Robert Mapplethorpe

and Patti Smith is touring the Dutch theaters. It’s a production by Theatergroup Oostpool and is part of a trilogy of plays. Last year: Michael Cunningham’s

A Home at the End of the World

. And next year: Kerouac’s

On the Road

. Tour schedule at: www.toneelgroepoostpool.nl

. *

Je ne suis pas Vincent

a groupshow curated by Cornel Bierens about Vincent van Gogh. The sort of shows I usually avoid but sometimes curiosity wins. With participation of some of my favorites: Pam Emmerik, Roland Ophuis, Joseph Semah, Margriet Smulders and -a recent find- Casper Verborg. Not all queer mind you. Till February 21 in Galerie Reuten Amsterdam – wow, no site! * During

Rotterdam

Art Fair

(February 10-14)

Koes Staassen

will present new works during the Main Section program. At the stand of Cokkie Snoei. * Opening February 13:

Visioenen van een genie

–visions of/by a genius. The unique review of the 15 th century painter Jheronimus (Jeroen) Bosch (1450-1516). The exhibition also concludes an intensive research and restoration program but I am afraid all the efforts have –as far as I know- not resulted in any contribution to queer art history. In

Den Bosch

till May 8. More: www.hetnoordbrabantsmuseum.nl. * The Museum Kurhaus does it again. Another eye-opening exhibition:

Stephan Prina

–galesburg, Illinois.

An installation about time and the role memories play in art and life. Especially interesting for us as Prina himself relates this process to growing up gay as a sort living allegory, using veiled language and behavior as second nature. A past not so much appropriated or deconstructed, but decomposed in the way of Barthes’ dissolving sugar-cube, the cube having vanished but the sugar still there to be used in another way. A bit like the Cadaveri Excellenti of the surrealists. I can’t wait but avoid the opening (January 30, 7:30pm): no less than 5 speeches (!) will interrupt the music of sound-artists Claus van Bebber and Günther Zins. In

Cleves

till April 17. More: www.museumkurhaus.de

. ( see pic: courtesy Calarts USA ).

Heritage

* A sort of Double Bill of nostalgia this time. Artist Hans van der Veen has started a new Gallery in Mooiman city- Groningen. And another artist that took part in many artshows in former GLBT center Villa Lila in Nijmegen had the honour of baptizing the new initiative with a show of his drawings. And Ben Haggeman also showed -new to me-: 3D works among them glass art! More info on the FB page of Gallery StudioH200 . * New sculptures by Marcel Joosen -the same heritage- shown in Groningen: The New Classic Men. Together with drawings by RM and paintings by Wim Heldens and Rob de Lange. Till February 20. More: www.mooi-man.nl

.

Feminisms

* The small Museum in Arnhem has an excellent reputation when it comes to showing feminist art. And though the title of the show

Queensize

is advertised as referring to the size of mattresses –now really girls, could nobody think of something less camp- it is a serious presentation of art by female artists from the Obricht collection, previously shown in Berlin. Among the artists presented are

Berlinde de Bruykere, Louise Bourgeois, Marlene Dumas and Cindy Sherman to name only a few. February 13 - May 16. More: www.museumarnhem.nl

. (pic: Cindy Sherman, Untitled 225, 1990 –courtesy Museum Arnhem).

* From the Rubell Family Collection a rotating show each time displaying alternating works by 100 women artists from the apparently very rich collection. No overriding theme; just a contribution to the ongoing attempt to redress the underrepresentation of women artists on display in museums. Revising art history by drawing attention to unknown artists from history and creating more visibility for contemporary artists. Catalogue: ISBN 97809 91177 042, 270 pp with 115 artists, $ 29,95. In Miami till May 28. More: www.rfc.museum

. * Good grief, the Saatchi Gallery is actually proud of

Champagne Life

a women only art show to celebrate it’s 30 birthday. A show addressing the glass ceiling not only in the art world… And reflecting on what it means to be a female artist today. Remind me. Did the Guerilla Girls start in 1985? Didn’t they point out that from 1985-1988 Saatchi exhibited 1 –yes one- female artist –Agnes Martin-. Saatchi is not only a bit late to the party but when it comes to beating its breasts about its contribution to feminism it remains a pretty flat chested affair. And does the show offer important new insights into the position of women artists? The show got mixed reviews. But one can only blush about the conclusion of the Guardian art critic who declared that this Saatchi show “could start to shift the male gaze of the art world”. Really, Jonathan, go do your homework. Nothing queer as far I could find. Indon till March 9. More: www.saatchigallery.com

. * And we may get a bit tired of the eternal question whether it is still necessary to put on all-female shows like this, but when looking at the

I Like America

artshow, reviewing contemporary US art, I am afraid it is. They apparently don’t consider it embarrassing that of the 41 artists billed on the poster only 3 are women (among them Sherrie Levine). Two other queer: Ross Bleckner and Jack Pierson. Till September: www.schauwerk-sindelfingen.de

.

Et Alors?

Another wonderful magazine showing their survival skills –it took off in 2012- though they too did suffer censorship by ISSUU, when that site found the magazine too explicit. ISSUU banned it without giving notice. But it didn’t deter the

Et Alors?

team. The # 16 (!) was posted just before year’s end.

Et Alors?

nowadays presents itself as “a flamboyant queer art magazine

.

A creative venture and a dynamic platform to preserve queer heritage and LGBTQ creativity. Independently published, written and designed by

Fleur Pierets

&

Julian P. Boom

, married and female.

Et Alors?

is an online, quarterly publication, for free, and has grown to 450.000 readers in the past 3 years.” That pretty much sums up this collection of “positive portraits of extraordinary people”. In this issue an interesting piece about the Pansy Project by brit-quart

Paul Hartfleet

or to be more precise about a doc about him

Les Pensées de Paul

by

Bettina Rheims

. And I was especially pleased to see their interest in artist

Sylvia B

again (an interview appeared in the

# 10 issue) and –like Paul’s project (also in Et Alors? # 4) - she is one of the more or less regular features in GLIMP! –see Nieuws-. The # 16 free downloads and earlier editions available at www.etalorsmagazine.com

.

Whispers

Loudest Whispers 2016

is an exhibition showcasing the work of over 35 LGBT artists in celebration of LGBT History month in

London

. This year’s theme is Religion, Belief and Philosophy: A Leap of Faith. The exhibition’s entrance space shows a mixed media installation by

Simon Croft

. His work

Temple

–consists of a series of ten houses representing bodies or religious spaces. Centerpiece is a house dedicated to Dr. Laurence Dillon (1915 1962), a ship’s doctor, monk and writer. His unpublished autobiography survived and will finally be published later this year. Images of the manuscript are incorporated in

Temple

as withheld witnesses of our history. February 8-April 14. On February 20 (1-4pm) Simon Croft will attend a Q&A after a screening of his experimental film

Reliquary 2.

More: www.simon-croft.co.uk

. * And more about

Loudest Whispers 2016

and the other participants on the Facebook event page .

Festival des Cultures LGBT

* Compared to antipodan Midsumma or Mardigras the first

Paris

festival of queer culture is –to put it

prudent

:

modest

e. But its visual arts program shows promise. More info about all the items mentioned at www.festivaldescultureslgbt.org

. * At first the BD imagery looked a bit weird but turned out to have nothing to do with SM –at least in that part of glbt Paris-. It is just a French abbreviation Bande Dessins (?) for comix… * France even has its own org of lgbtq artists that produce comics –inspired by the US Prism comics org-. It even has its own Revue, but I’ve yet to find out how to get hold of that one. More:

l’association LGBT BD

. Among the members are comics artist like

Nawak

(

La France rose et bleue

) and

Soizick Jaffré

(

Encore une journée dans léxistance de Cindy

). They invite the public to a meet and greet and lecture on February 6 (6pm) at the Paris LGBT center. Artists will read their comics while their

dessins

are being projected. * Also in the LGBT Center

Elle est lui, il est elle

–She is he, he is she. An exhibition of dyptichs showing a man and a women, but it soon becomes clear that both are the same person. And the inevitable question pops up which portrait is correct? A question impossible to answer, even irrelevant. The exhibition is about the fragile gender borderland. Where social constructs of male and female turn out to be equally artificial as the maquillage used to produce the f/m portraits by the enigmatic Nikita. Till February 11. *

Expo Trans

. Art collective

Existrans

has organized a show of works by a dozen artists from all disciplines shwong that art is the secret

weapon of all minorities. In the 10 th district’s city hall till February 12. *

Pride and Grey

is an exhibition addressing the agism in the lgbt community where visualizing the old seems to be considered a perversion… In Theatre 12 till February 14. * Artist-photographer Estelle Prudent is presenting two projects.

Portraits

visualizes activists and artist belonging to the marginalized LGBT Afro-Caribean community and

Penses Bêtes

–silly thoughts- is a series of drawings as a form of écriture reactive –digestive (?) writing. Le Bar’Ouf till February 14. More: www.estelleprudent.com

. * Une_Partie_De -

A_Part_Of Project

a photographic exploration of (Une mosaique d’instants de la) normalité ga-l-y-E. But originating in Lebanon, also covering Mali, the États Unis and finally the 3d arrondissement’s City Hall. Till February 14 and more at the projectpage.

Also showing in another City Hall , this time in Caen (F) till February 22. * Brazilian Parisian Rafael Suriani is showing

It’s not Personal, it’s Drag

about his street art project of murals portraying drag artists personages androgynies portent des codes de genre multiples et ne se limitent pas aux frontières établies entre les notions de masculinité et feminité –see, not all queer French is as difficult as Foucault ;-) In Le Checkpoint till February 12. More: www.suriani-art.com

. * Homosexualité et literature. Large Portraits of famous gay writers in a naïve style by Alexandre Lepicque. February 8-29. Centre d’animation des Halles. * Jeux de mains et autres photographies by Patrick Gerbier. The male nude where the body is a backdrop for the hands. In Espace 130 till February 14. * Deutéranopie. A series of paintings by Cindy Nikolic (1983) referring to certain physical characteristics of the eye that produce an alternative form of color vision and another minorité incongrue... February 2-21. Centre de santé au Marie-Volte. * The exhibition

Cartes du corps

– Body cartography- shows nude male bodies applied with images of the flags and maps of countries that try to eradicate homosexuality by death, torture or therapy. Also intended as a reminder that even in countries that have legalized same sex partnerships these rights are as fragile as in Alabama. In La Mine till February 14. More about this project by Daniel Nassoy at www.menofmydreams.com

. * Painter Pauline N’Gouala (see pic) was inspired by Zanele Muholi’s portraits of lesbian women in South Africa and has made a series of portraits –of artists an SA activists- alike. Grisailles with touches of colour in the background or in the props of the models. Among the artists portrayed is also Estelle Prudent (see above). In Le Mutinerie till February 14. More: paulinengouala.canalblog.com. * Also see

DIY

.

News Eu

* Families: A New Definition

photographs by French photographer

Vincent Gouriou

, showing new ways of family life in a world in transition. Gouriou won third prize with a pic

Family Time

in the single images category at the Pride Photo Award 2015. Photos from the series will be on display at the

Pavillon Carré de Baudouin

in

Paris

till April 9. Part of the

Diagonal 2x16 Photographic Residencies

program. The program will include work from 16 international photographers. More

about both projects at the site of Lensculture (link to a piece by Vincent Gouriou). * LGBT BD the French queer art org of comic book artists took part in the campaign against an all male shortlist –of 30 names- for the Angouleme Comixfestival’s Life Time Achievement award. Since 1974 only one female artist ever won (Florence Cestac in 2000). Several famous male artists declined their nomination and finally the festival agreed to add –six- women to the shortlist. If you read French check this blog –dated january 6- by LGBT BD member Soizick Jaffre.

This year’s winner will be announced this weekend: www.bdangouleme.com

. * Last Chance.

Schamlos – Sexualmoral im Wandel

. In

Bonn

till February 14. More: www.hdg.de

. * A group of 4 German and 4 Swiss artists share the experience of the borders. The ones we accept and those we resist. Among the participants of

in_visble limits

is

Frantiĉek Klossner

(Sui, see pic)). February 20 (Opening: 6pm) till April 10. More: Neuer Kunstverein

Aschaffenburg

(D). * Na mólo! –Breakwater. An exhibition around fashion artist Lenka Srsnová and the people involved in her design process. Grafics by Ondrej Job and Michael Bednarova. Photography and other visuals by Jakub Gulyas and Brano Lengyel. In Ruzomberok (Sk) till February 14. More: www.lenkasrsnova.com

. *

Ester Fleckner

: A closet does not connect under the bed

an exhibition of woodcuts and concrete sculptures investigating the closet as metaphor and object. In her work she looks into the relation between words and the objects these refer to. This Feminine Moments blog offers more info on the artist and her show. Till March 13 in

Kopenhagen

. More: www.aviskarl.dk

. * Gio Black Peter returns to Toulon (Fr).

Mr. Bad Guy

presents new drawings and painting envisaging the private and transgressive universe of the artist. Opening January 30 (6pm). Till March 26. More: www.axoxlotl-shop.fr

and www.gioblackpeter.squarespace.com

.

Too nice…

French artist

Olivier Ciappa

must be a nice guy. One of those guys a bit too nice for this time and age. He is a photographer and filmmaker who celebrated the 10 th anniversary of L’autre Cercle,a glbt org in the city of

Toulouse

with Les Couples Imaginaires a public exhibition of photographs of same sex couples (see pic). In the country of

Je suis Charlie

and le

Front National

this was a bit too much. The photographs were vandalized and after Olivier had them replaced the new prints were stolen. Despite that, Olivier considered Toulouse still not a homophobic town. I wonder what does? But as I mentioned above. Olivier is a nice guy. He had the show continued again and even prolonged. And expressed his hope that the thieves would at least share them… Chapeau. See also his new book:

Il était deux frères

-he was two brothers. More: www.olivierciappa.com

.

Modernisms

* The Technological Future and Art a program of lectures, statements, art presentations and a debate by artmag MetropolisM. In

Rotterdam

February 13 (1-4pm). More: www.artrotterdam.com

. * Also part of Art Rotterdam: Projections –a show of contemporary video art by a selection of Belgian and Dutch galleries (among them Ellen de Bruijne and Ron Mandos)- and Intersections – presentations of new non-profit spaces and artists initiatives-. February 10-14. *

Globale

– The New Art experience in the digital age. Sounds pretty neutral. But the sub-title reads like a bit less fun: Weltweite Überwachung und Zensur -Global Control and Censorship. How the internet changed from a hoped for instrument of democratic participation for all into an instrument of mass surveillance, control, exploitation and censorship by multinational corporations and government agencies. A large scale exhibition but among the many participating artists only

Zach Blas

(pic) and

Hito Steyerl

sound familiar.With a booklet to download: here . In

Karlsruhe

till May 1. More: www.zkm.de

.

Venice Pride

With a special recommendation for the super straight Luigi Brugnaro (see previous GLIMP!).

Romaine Brooks

. Paintings, drawings, photographs

. The first ever exhibition with works by this lesbian artist in Italy. A bit weird considering she was born in Rome (1874). But to please Luigi this exhibit is in

his

Venice

. Another little prelude to Pride. Till March 13. More at the Palazzo Fortuny site .

Darlings

* Agnes Martin – eine Retrospektive till March 6 in Düsseldorf (K20). More: www.kunstsammlung.de

. *

Horst

(P. Horst)

- Photographer of Style

is moving to Düsseldorf. February 12-May 25. More: wwwnrw-forum.de. * Oh dear.

Vitaminbombe –

Früchtebilder –pictures of fruit from Picasso to Warhol… Well that’s enough camp for this month. In Emden: February 6-May 22. More: www.kunsthalle-emden.de

. * Last Chance. Jean Paul Gaultier – From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk. Till February 14 in München. More: www.kunsthalle-muc.de

. * Cy Twombly – Malerei und Skulptur-. In Basel till March 13. More: www.kunstmuseumbasel.ch

. *

Kinetische Malerei

dedicated to the work of –still going strong- Carolee Schneemann, one of –non lesbian- pioneers in addressing the female body and sexuality in her art. In Salzburg till February 28. More: www.museumdermoderne.at

. * Leonardo da Vinci –drawings from the Royal Collection. In Newcastle February 13-April 24. More: www.laingartgallery.org.uk

.

DIY- art

* Check out the CUNT call for proposals for their Deep Trash events (April 23, October 23) in

London

: “exhibition-cum-performance club nights in Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club”… Check videos of previous events and more about deadlines, etc: www.cuntemporary.org

. * La Revue LGBT BD (also

see

Festival des Cultures

) is calling for contributions for their # 3 edition “Histoires et histories”. The French Bandes Dessinées –comics magazine is looking for biographies and autobiographical stories either real or imagined, or about events that have made a lasting impression. Check out the Facebook page . Deadline:

fin de mars.

Censorship

* 2016 had only just started, the editors of Your Daily Male had published their first dose of male art and Facebook honored the ever watchful guardians of straight morals with a blocking of the Daily Male page. So those who bought a copy (Schwules Museum, Leslie Lohman or Mooiman) had the privilege of enjoying a daily dose of

visual delight/filth

in private. * Also in January -in the magnificent magazine Little Joe # 5- I read how a queer theorist claimed the censorship –and gay invisibility- of previous eras –the 50s- to be a myth. The very existence of

Little Joe

, many of their pieces about the

camp

classics –how many are there?-, the very existence of his own visual culture studies discipline and even it’s endless efforts to decode the visual polari of the past should indicate that in reality and even in ivory academia every day practice was and is just a bit less mythical… * This little piece on the site of the Bob Mizer foundation reminds us of the muddy trenches from the visual front of these

oh so campy

50s and 60s. Somewhere on that site you can find a donation button ;-)

DIY - academia

* Academia. Our queer anthropologists are seeking proposals for the panel they sponsor at the biennial EASA 2016 conference (in

Milan

July 20-23): Connection and Contestation in Queer Anthropology. Deadline: February 15. More: www.queeranthro.org

. * The Brit Bi Org ( www.biuk.org

) is organizing the first European bisexual research conference (EuroBiReCon): Bisexuality and (Inter)National Research Frontiers. What marketing genius thought of that. In

Amsterdam

July 28 and followed by a threeday community event: www.eurobicon.org

. They are welcoming proposals for papers and workshop sessions. Deadline: February 26.

Genderless

* Genderless shows a series of self portraits by

Ayakamay

(pic). She is using herself as a subject attempting to reveal complex relationships between her gender and herself by questioning social significance and cultural coding. Ayakamay (1985) a Japanese-American artist from New York whose works encompass photography, video and performing arts. Her adolescence in a cross cultural environment strongly influenced her art practice. She will give a live performance the opening reception and on each day during the show period. Opening February 4 (6pm). In

New York

February 5-9. More: www.leslielohman.org

. * Also at the Leslie Lohman till March 16:

Medium of Desire

. The international

Anthology of Photography and Video

curated by Peter Weiermair.

Transfigure

Transfigure

is a project of corporal self-expression by

Leon Mostovoy

. It is a one day performative experiment. A visual feast celebrating bodies that transcend the gender binary. As a transgender man Mostovoy created the project as a step in self-acceptance and a means to promote positive body image in the Trans Community. The installation centers around a book and consists of life-size photographs, a film, and interactive website, and visitors are encouraged to reconfigure the physical book, play on the website, and communicate online using the Transfigure Website Community forum page to engage with people outside the walls of the gallery. This project began with the concept of a traditional children’s flipbook, made up of transgender bodies, and created to explore our bodies in a safe and playful way. In

New York

February 26-27. Opening the 26 (6pm). More: www.leslielohman.organd

www.leonmostovoy.com

.

Sweethearts

* Moving Time: Video Art at 50 -1965-2015-. An exhibition tracing the impact of this art from its origin in the 60s –from midwife Andy Warhol- to its digitized present. See also: Michelle Handelman. Till February 14 in East Lansing (MI). More: www.broadmuseum.msu.edu

. *

How to Work Better

is an exhibition of works by art-duo Peter Fischli (1952) and David Weiss (1946-2012) at the Guggenheim

and a mural of the same title in New York. And as part of Times Square Arts their Büsi video (2001) will be screened. February 5 – April 27. More: www.guggenheim.org

. * Tip: photographer Zanele Muholi lectures in Chicago February 24 (6pm). More: Columbia College.

* Two exhibitions showing works by

Martin Wong

(1946-1999). Both in

New York

. PPOW Gallery shows Voices a group of works all reflecting Wong’s continuous confrontation with language as a source of his artistic practice. The shows includes paintings, drawings but also ceramics –he was trained as a potter- and even dog tags. Till February 6. The Bronx Museum shows Human Instamatic –as he dubbed himself- the first museum retrospective dedicated to this outsider by choice and necessity. Gay, Chinese-American by birth, Latino by choice –his friend was one of the leading poets of the Latin community-, fascinated by sign language… Most of his paintings look grimy and naïve, but his self portraits have a rare lucidity. And totally weird are the paintings of the last period just before death (Aids). This show is a nice appraisal of his work. Catalogue Martin Wong; Human Instamatic. Sergio Bessa, ea.ISBN: 9781910433416. 160 pp. $ 35. Till February 14. More: www.bronxmuseum.org

.

Agency

At the heart of every political and social movement is a question about who deserves to have power and control, whether over territory, access, rights, or freedoms. Around the world, we are witnessing struggles connected to race, sexuality, gender, and class. The artists in the

Agency

exhibition ask questions about who has agency and in what situations, working from their own experiences within these complex social and political forces. Among the featured photographs by members of the

Strange Fire Collective

is work by

Zackary Drucker

. The

Strange Fire Collective

is a recently formed group of artists –with a substantial queer content- seeking “to create a venue for work that critically questions the dominant social hierarchy and are dedicated to highlighting work made by women, people of color, and queer and trans artists.” In

Fort Collins

(CO) till February 27. More: www.c4fap.org

. Reception February 6 (6pm). (Pic: The Birdcage Veil, Caleb Cole,2010).

O

Catherine Opie: O

shows her

O portfolio

a sort of reflection on the confrontational

X Portfolio

by Robert Mapplethorpe (1978). A show of his work starts next month. An though also showing sexual sm practices that are usually obscured from public view, Opie in her work offers an entirely different approach of the private-public divide. Her experiences in the BDSM scene are in her words “about intimacy”. In

Los Angeles

February 13-September 5. More: www.lacma.org

. Also at the LA county museum till July 10

The Seductive Line: Eroticism in early twentieth century Germany and Austria

. Among the 50 works on paper also drawings by Egon Schiele.

News

* After taking part in LA Photo the exhibition

Round Hole, Square Peg #2

-intended to answer the question

What is Queer Photography

?- the show will relocate to Artists Corner Gallery in

Hollywood

. Among the 30 participant is Dutch talent

Paul Buijs

(pic). Opening night is also a fundraiser for

The Trevor Project

a crisis intervention and suicide prevention scheme for lgbt youth (February 6, 7pm). More artistcorner.us.

* Later this

year Square Peg will be shown at the Advocate and Gochis Galleries. Presently the

LA

LGBT is showing

Fists of Rage

by

Rich Wandel

, founder of the New York LGBT Community Center National History Archive and a chronicler of the outrage and resistance of the generation fighting for lgbt rights in the 70s, 80s and 90s, most of his life. All spring 2016. More: www.lalgbtcenter.org

. *

Bent not Broken

presents drawings, paintings and photography by

Michael Meads

. Considered one of the top 10 shows in 2015 in New Orleans by

nola.com

and even as one of the 10 best in the US by

hyperallergic.com

. Till February 28. More: www.ogdenmuseum.org

. (see pic) * This is us a groupshow –also one of those top ten shows- presenting works by

Lyle Ashton Harris

,

Kate Walker

and

Kehinde Wiley

(and many more). In

Columbus

(OH) till April 2. More: www.pizzuticollection.org

. *

Love 2016

. Megalo-group show on eros in the arts. Among the participants:

Nayland Blake

,

Genesis Breyer P Orridge

,

Michelle Handelman

… In

New York

till February 21. More: www.arts.columbia.edu/leroy neiman-gallery . *

Salon

an exhibition of the highly autobiographical photographic works of

Benjamin Fredrickson

about intimacy, sexuality, the gay community he lives in and how these interact with his use of the camera. Leslie Lohman director

Hunter O’Hanian

will engage the artist in a conversation at the Bureau February 18 (7pm) where you can see

Salon

till March 20. More: www.bgsqd.com

. Together with

Juan Betancurth

he has another show in New York. Nydia is on till February 27. More: www.danielcooneyfineart.com

. *This time of year the

Kinsey Institute

used to call for contributions for their annual

Juried Art Show

. But after ten years the Institute has decided that it is time to change their art policies. The program of travelling exhibitions showing works from the collection will continue. This page contains an archive of the shows 2006-2015 . * Presently showing at the

Bloomington

institute is

For Love of Money

. This exhibition includes art and artifacts from the Institute’s collections depicting people working in sex-related professions, such as “prostitution, burlesque performance, exotic dancing, adult film production, nude and erotic modeling, peep shows, female impersonation, and drag performance.” Till February 12. * More from the collection of the Kinsey Institute can be seen in

Chicago

. The exhibition

Bring Your Own Body: transgender between archives and aesthetics

lasts till February 13. More at the Glass Curtain Gallery site. *

Art Aids America

the important review of the influence of HIV in/on American art: from personal mourning to political activism.

Kennesaw

(GA) is the only location in the Southern states where

Art Aids America

will be shown. February 20-May 22. More: www.zuckerman.kennesaw.edu

. *

Wes Hempel

is taken part in

Portrayal

a group show of portrait painting in

Santa Fe

(NM). Also on show portraits by Herman Leonard (1923-2010), Titus Castanza, Dustin Leavitt and Chris Rush. Till March 5. More: www.ethertongallery.com

. *

Capetown

Pride February 19-28. Program not yet published but as far as I can see only film screenings in the visual arts program… More: www.capetownpride.org

.

Art tribute to David Bowie Sydney

’s first glbtqi art space was quick about it. They asked a group of prestigious Sydney artists to take part in a groupshow as a tribute to David Bowie. A collection of art that is “daring and different, art which takes risks and doesn’t care whether you like it or not. A crazy concoction of colour and weirdness, humour, ridiculousness and a little bit of madness. An art tribute to David Bowie. A visionary and ground breaking pioneer, a man who pushed boundaries and borders and just did what he loved with no thought as to whether anyone would really like it. A true inspiration to people all over the world, the perfect symbol of ‘Momentum’ – the theme for

Mardi Gras 2016

.” Part of the proceeds go to ACON –Aids Council New South Wales-. Opening night February 18 (6pm). Till March 5. More: www.lostspace.com.au

. Tip: Lost Space is also for hire as an exhibition space.

Mardigras 2016

* The 2016 Mardigras in

Sydney

–February 19 till March 5- is even more impressive than last year’s. Here a selection from the visual arts program. More info on all of these items: www.mardigras.org.au

. * To come in the mood start with

Gallery Glide Grace

. A

gay

social, a walk touring the galleries in Paddington where artists talk about their work over snacks and drinks. February 14, starting 1 pm at Berry Stern Gallery. Tickets cost $ 69 and include afternoon tea. *

Decca Dance

. A “lgbtqi foxtrot-cha-cha-samba-tango” of an exhibition gabbles the pr-manager and the festival hasn’t even started yet. But I must admit it is a bit of weird bunch of ceramics (see pic,but who potted that?), paintings, sculpture and –here we go again “feathered creations in a frenzy of colour”. A groupshow by a mix of a dozen or so queer and colorful artists. Kerry Lowe Gallery in

Newtown

, February 19-March 8. *

Stories of Love and Death

. An exhibition coinciding with the launch of

Stories of Love and Death: Performance, Portraiture and Documentary in the work of William Yang

. Both the new monograph and the exhibition focus on the work of this artist and his works is always about his life as an Australian Chinese gay man. Stills Gallery in

Paddington

, February 17-March 5. With an opening February 20 (3pm) and a performance February 27 (6pm). *

Insubstantial Love Stories

. A series of works by animator artist

Tedd Fuller

addressing issues of homosexual love and rights. Elaborating his earlier coop with Amy Hill exploring the influence of language on a community of young queers and now raising questions of sexual politics. At Brenda May Gallery,

Waterloo.

February 20- March 17. More: www.toddfuller.com.au

. *

The Bearded Man Project

. A series of oil portraits showcasing Jeff Waterman’s images of “male presence and beauty without resorting to what I find has become the omnipresent and somewhat oppressive resort to sexualizing, mythologizing, idealization and sentimentality in our culture” and “We are so much more than our abs, sneers and pouts, so much more”. Ok but no more mythologizing… In Blank_Space Gallery,

Surry Hills

, February 20-March 4. *

Day for Night

. The 2016 edition of a interdisciplinary event of lectures, dance, performance and parties with radical new work by Australian and international artists. Over 24-hours leading queer artists will re-imagine gender, sexuality and the body. Carriageworks, February 20 (12pm)- 21 (12pm). *

Dead Queens

. Abstract portrait paintings by Balinese artist

Ash

of some histories most infamous gay icons. February 27-March 5. Lost Space Gallery. *

AndrogynUs

. A genderblending fashion show at the Oxford Art Factory in Darlinghurst: March 2 (7:30 pm). *

Company of Men

. This exhibition features photographs and video works by Bruce LaBruce and also shows works by a series of other artists. From Australia:

Rogan Richards

,

Simonology

,

Antony Maklouf

,

Gareth Ernst

,

Damien Hinds

and

Nik Dimpoulos

. Others are

Pår Åhlander

(Sv),

Tyree Fifer

(US) and

Boni Jimenez

(Es). At Gaffa Gallery March 3 (6pm)-March 14. *

Fierce Femme

is an exhibition of amateur and professional photography exploring and celebrating femme identity hosted by Ms. Sydney Leather. A visibility building fundraiser for

Sydney Femme Guild

. March 3 (6pm) Burdekin Hotel,

Darlinghurst

. * And to end this year’s madness on a somewhat mysterious note:

The We Like it Hot –Art Prize and Recovery Party

. But I haven’t the foggiest what Prize is referred to. Ah, well try Google it y’rself later this month. March 20 (2pm -?-) at the Bowling Club in

Kiama

. * Oh, and almost every day of the festival there is a special lecture, screening, meet and greet, presentation, Q&A and/or debate as part of a

Queer Thinking Program

. Ah, dissident heaven…

Love Map

Sydney Love Map and Landscape

. An exhibition by art duo

Benoit+Bo

, “fruit of two cultures, (…) sensitivities and (…) pasts”. “Benoit is French and Bo Chinese. Using their combined heritage (…) they create hybrid, contemporary visions (…). Their work is autobiographic, about their experiences, feelings and thoughts as a married, same sex couple in an intercultural relationship.” During Mardi Gras they will exhibit their

Sydney Love Map

- specially created for this show- along with Love Maps of other

major cities. The Love Maps are detailed digital paintings of city-plans, “filled with clever streets, intelligent parks and naughty buildings. A new series of Love Landscapes will also show, mixing contemporary compositions and colour with traditional Chinese and European symbols of love. The pieces are beautiful, humorous and profound.“ And every festival organizer should consider asking the couple to add their city to their itinerary… Opening February 25 ( 6pm). At the Newsagency Gallery in

Petersham

till march 31. More: Newsagency Gallery Facebook .

Midsumma Update

* Several Sportsmen –household names with downunder’s testosterones- have posed for

Ross Watson

who is presently showing

Censored Nudes

, a comment on the restrictive community standards censoring content on social media. After a number of his own artworks were removed from Facebook and Instagram, the

Melbourne

-based artist decided to challenge the conservative social media standards threatening to change societal attitudes towards nudity in art. A visit by Australian footballer Sam Gilbert (left and middle) made the headlines. The exhibition runs at the Ross Watson Gallery until February 7. * The Australian Post Art Prize –part of Melbourne’s Midsumma program- has been won by Megan Beckwith with her video work Torso addressing consequences of the bio-medical revoltion. Works of all the nominated artists (Adam Anderson, Alison Bennett, Megan Beckwith, Daniel Burke, William Eicholtz, Emma Ferguson, Jessika K, Ying Huang, Matto Lucas, Jake Preval, Frances Sergi and Issie Soudy) are presented till February 6 at the 69 Smith Street Gallery. And if you have an Aussie postcode you can cast your vote for the Peoples Choice Award (every artist has a page) too. * And the new queer art magazine Quartz has been launched. Download of the free # 1 issue here . More: www.quartzine.com

.

APT8

Exploring the antipodan Internet Outback I happened to come across

The Asia Pacific Triënnale (part 8)

in

Brisbane

. Now that must be an interesting show: giving a voice to the oppressed, telling marginalized stories and showing images long time obscured in the art world. And yes, the post colonial message of the show sounds meanwhile a bit all too familiar but most of the presented art is not. Whether it addresses the oppression of the art by and the exploitation of the natural resources of the aboriginal peoples in the region or the contemporary mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization of the muslim populations in either Australia or Cambodja (!) the art is powerful and the Buddhist Bug is hilarious (yes, political art can be funny!). But for us it is also very interesting to see that even queer voices and visions are presented at the show –though some art critics don’t know what to make of it and/or seem uneasy with it- and that their position on the intersection of private and public seems most relevant in a globalizing world –and not only to a queer community. The works of transgender artist coping with globalized concepts of gender and sexuality are seen to embody new avenues of

change, if only by their reframing of the outcast position. The trans artists presented are: Justin Shoulder (Australia), Benji-Ra (Philippines), Ryuki Kihara (Samoa) and Ming Wong (Singapore). I think this really is an important show. Till April 10. More: www.qagoma.qld.gov.au

. (pic: showing

Ex Nilalang Balud

-2015 production still- according to critic Bansie Vasvani “being sensational rather than shedding light on their community”).

Auckland Pride

* Auckland Pride February 5-21. Try find a visual arts program on www.aucklandpridefestival.org.nz

. * The

Pah Homestead

is one of the locations of the Wallace Arts Center. It features two art shows. One, is now a site specific

living performance

by Pati Solomona Tyrell around the Samoan concept of Fa’aafa, the concept of half. First developed as part of an art school project, he developed it further for the December 2015 Love Life Fono LGBT Pacific Conference: elements of traditional Samoan culture are fused with contemporary urban life in the Pacific region. The second is The Sound of the Ocean a work by Tanu Gago that looks at the self-preservation of authentic Pacific experience as opposed to the western gaze, its narrative and visualization of Pacific life. Curated by Ema Tavola who will engage both artists in public conversation (February 13, 11:30 am) about their practice, co op and “nurturing the Rainbow Pasifika creative space within South Auckland”. Till February 28. More: www.tsbbankwallaceartscentre.org.nz

. * Groupshow at the Tim Melville Gallery. Certainly Very Merry opens February 2 (6pm) and lasts till March 5. Check www.timmelville.com

later for info about the participating artists. * The

Charlotte Museum

has a special program:

Lesbian Pride

. To my surprise it is a museum dedicated to the preservation of lesbian history and artefacts. Check site for more up to date info and opening hours: www.charlottemuseum.lesbian.net.nz

. With interesting policy-debate. *

G.G. Talk that talk

. *

ICONS

first solo show by artist

Stanley Manthyng

in 20 years, presenting a series of new portraits of super icons in all their

Glitter Glory

. February 18 (opening

6pm)-20. More at Studio One’s Facebook page . *

The Bill is Out

. Another double bill. The project starts February 20 with a solo presentation by

Fiona Clark

(she will open the exhibit herself at 2 pm) on her long-term engagement with censorship anecdotes. And starting March 12 it will include other artists “born into a legal system where lgbt identities were illegitimate” (in NZ till 1986 when the anti-gay law was abolished) and who witnessed the change. The exhibition intends to create an art historical bridge and a new perspective on the history of queer identities in Aotearoa… Till April 16. More: www.artspace.org.nz

. (Pic: Dianna and Peri at Miss NZ Drag Queen Ball, Auckland 1975. Fiona Clark.)

Qrowdfunding

* Well,

Greg Bailey

did it. He raised more than $ 4000 to keep his dream alive: the

Alright Darling

magazine about the world of drag. Check: www.alrightdarling.com

. *

Kartonnen Dozen

the follow-up of bookstore

Het Verschil

in

Antwerp

is still looking for an additional € 11.000. But has only a few days left to reach this target. Check their pitch at the Belgian crowdfunding site worldofcrowdfunding.com.

* Filmmaker

Robin Vogel

has made a personal doc about the

Amsterdam

gay

Club Church

:

Weg van de Kerk

. A film about sexuality, gay identity, sub-culture, personal boundaries and polygamy. He still needs a € 10.000 budget for post production costs. Premiere showing is scheduled March 17 at the Roze Filmdagen Filmfestival. See his voordekunst pitch , in Dutch only. But he hopes his film will tour the international festival circuit. *

Nia King

is still raising some additional money for the book

Queer & Trans Artists of Color # 2

. Interested? Pre-order a copy to help her realize the project. Check her Indiegogo page.

* Remember the impact of

The Killing of Sister George

–one of the first plays about a lesbian couple-. A reprise will be staged during Mardigras by

G bod theater

and they raising funds for their costumes! Check this aussie site pozible.com

. * And if you think

Baltimore

is in need of a Divine monument, you should look at this fundraiser by sculptors

Davis Hess

and

Sebastian Martorana

.

Steve Yaeger

(director of the

John Waters, Divine Trash

film is also involved. They have2 months to raise $ 69.000. Read their funny Kickstarter page.

Helm de Laat, 29 januari 2016