As the closure of LGBTQ+ venues accelerates due to lockdowns, digitalisation and gentrification, it’s time to reflect on the radical legacy of the gay bar and what’s next for queer space. But what challenges does this future of digital gatherings hold for the queer community? When communities depend on social media technologies, they become exposed to an uncontrolled and diseased side of digital networks and intimacy. What does it mean to be queer and women in the era of digital interactions?
During the talkshow Queer (Safe) Spaces research-artist Irene Cassarini and spatial designer Colin Keays get together to discuss how their work reflect on the experience of queer spaces. Moderator Vincent Wijlhuizen’s history in theater will distill the speakers’ experiences with online and offline (queer) spaces, down to the cultural and behavioral influences of what makes online/offline spaces safe.
About the speakers
Colin Keays (he/him) is a spatial designer based in Rotterdam. With a background in architecture, his practice takes a critical approach to understanding the built environment while deconstructing the social, cultural and political forces that shape it. Through this lens, the outcomes of his research manifest as full scale immersive installations, and more recently through the production of digital environments.
Irene Cassarini (Guenter Råler) (b. 1995, she/they) is an Italian producer, DJ, sound designer and visual artist, now based in The Netherlands. Recently graduated from the master of Music Technology at HKU in Utrecht (NL), she is an independent researcher on internet culture, queer theories and digital art, taking a multidisciplinary approach in exploring the relationship between society, politics and artistic practices.
WHERE: online
WHEN: 25 April 15:30-17:00
PRICE: €5,-
TICKETS: https://ccu.stager.nl/web/tickets/111062664
Online Festival Rainbows End
From April 22nd until 2nd of May Creative Coding Utrecht (CCU) opens up the online festival Rainbows End. This multi-sensory art manifestation is exploring the boundaries of reality, intimacy and play, with a diverse range of activities. Thanks to talk shows, screenings, performances, workshops, and an online art exhibition, you will be immersed in new realities.
During this 11-day programme, we will be hacking sex toys, discussing the importance of safe digital spaces, and the impact of complex politics and histories of technology, as well as many other topics. It promises to cultivate mind-expanding conversations with new people. Let’s get intimate!
Rainbows End is made possible by Gemeente Utrecht, Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie, Mondriaan Fonds, VSBFonds, Stichting Elise Mathilde Fonds, Stichting Fentener van Vlissingen Fonds, and Pictoright Fonds.