"Trans Experimental" Organized by Boston LGBTQIA+ Artist Alliance (BLAA)
Trans Experimental: Organized by Boston LGBTQIA+ Artist Alliance (BLAA), curated by Hogan Seidel
February 14–April 10, 2021
Viewable 24/7 at Fountain Street’s Sidewalk Video Gallery 460C Harrison Avenue, Suite 2, Boston, MA 02118
Trans Experimental, a group show of experimental film and animation by trans artists in the greater Boston area, launches at The Sidewalk Video Gallery on February 14th. The show, organized by Boston LGBTQIA+ Artist Alliance (BLAA), introduces a new artist each week. Experimental film deals with perception and abstraction and uses non-commercial techniques including photochemical abstraction, hand-painted animation, digital glitch work, and found footage collage. In this show, trans artists explore and find solace in practices of experimental film that are based on the re-collage, the tactical, the degradation, and the reclamation. Each work lends itself to reflection on the trans body and identity.
Exhibition Schedule
Week 1: February 14–20 Gabby Sumney (pronouns: any) Sumney created a meditation of aging with a chronic illness using a year of 16mm footage and hand-painted film.
Week 2: February 21–27 Gina Kamenstky (she/her) As a self-portrait, the artist videoed herself doing slapstick “stunts” and then distorted and rotoscoped over the video onto 70mm film. Says Kamenstky, “It’s a celebration of loving my trans body and looking forward to turning 60.”
Week 3: February 28–March 6 Hogan Seidel (pronouns: they/them) Using 16mm black & white film, direct animation, and analog and digital layering, the artist has an exchange between their body, the natural world, and the myth of the trans body. Says Seidel, “In this collage of image and chemistry, I reach out to the divine.”
Week 4: March 7–13 Edward Perkins (pronouns: they/them) Hand scratched and tinted with sharpies, one of Perkins’ films uses rapid cutting to create a space for liberated gender expression. Another, shot on 16mm, double-exposed and hand processed, is a collaborative film that celebrates femme identity.
Week 5: March 14–20 Malic Amalya (pronouns: he/him) Shot at sites of nuclear development, detonation, industry, tourism, and activism, Amalya examines the ways that ideologies of war structure landscapes, community rituals, cinematic technology, entomology, pandemic management, and even notions of LGBTQ liberation.
Weeks 6, 7, 8: Artists and titles to be announced
About BLAA: The Boston LGBTQIA+ Artist Alliance is a volunteer artist-run organization that seeks to elevate the visibility of and provide resources to LGBTQIA+ Boston-area artists. We are dedicated to building community through exhibition opportunities, events, workshops, artist talks, performances, and other creative social outlets. We welcome all who identify within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. About Fountain Street Fountain Street is a contemporary gallery in the SoWa Art + Design District of Boston. We exhibit a wide array of media from over 30 emerging and mid-career artists in both our main and annex galleries. Founded in 2011, our passion has always been about connecting art seekers and makers through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, juried shows, collaborative projects and installations. Our deep commitment to local artists and frequent rotation of new exhibits offers visitors a fresh and dynamic art experience. Contact Marie Craig, Director, (774) 286-1800 Fountain Street Gallery, 460c Harrison Ave. #2, Boston, MA 02118 marie@fsfaboston.com www.fsfaboston.com