Food for Thought: How Artistic means can aid queer people (Adrian Apollo)

 

This chapter had some good examples of art aiding queer people and giving them a platform to voice their own struggles. One individual who I think is a good example of this, is Del LaGrace Volcano. This individual was intersexual, and stated that,

 "As a gender variant visual artist I access 'technologies of gender' in order to amplify rather than erase the hermaphroditic traces of my body...distinguish my journey from the thousands of intersex individuals who have had their 'ambiguous' bodies mutilated and disfigured in a misguided attempt at 'normalization'..."

Visual arts was a means of liberation and expression for Volcano. Art not only gave a platform to voice their struggle, but to gain awareness from generalized society. Queer artists exist to reach and educate large audiences of people. Exposure is the best education sometimes, and by exposing the art world to their true self, Volcano was able to challenge the norms of the general public. Along with this, they enhanced the art world as we know it. Each artist who shares their own perspectives on life or their own unique struggle enriches the art world as a whole. I see the art world as a societal index which grants access to the lives of others which we would not always be privy to within our normal day to day lives. Each piece is a looking glass into a life we do not have immediate access to. We are given outlets to empathize with others, and to really learn about them with each piece we are exposed to. 

Another art piece I was really intrigued to learn about was the Quilt project dedicated to all the lives lost during the AIDS epidemic. I decided to do my final project on this topic, so I won't get into too much detail about it, but it intrigued me due to the fact that it is relevant to my thesis as well. Volcano's story also has relevance to my thesis, so it was really nice to learn about them as well. I will be sure to add them into some aspect of my writing. I am very enthralled by large scale art projects, and the quilt was one of the largest community art projects known to date. When opportunities arise to have multiple people involved in a project, I think it is enriching for not just those involved but for the community as a whole. This is another way in which art is a means of accessing walks of life we are not aware of. This project allowed people to meet one another who may have never crossed paths to begin with. People came together and were able to tell the stories of those who lost their fight to AIDS. Art brings community, awareness, and an outlet for those who are actively engaged in struggle, or have been.  

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