Oct. 12, 2011 - Issue #834: Protest in the riot
Queermonton
Expose an anniversary
Exposure Festival continues to celebrate diversity in its fifth year
After four successful years, Exposure: Edmonton's Queer Arts and Cultural Festival enters its fifth year with the theme of "Queer Revolution." This year's festival will explore our shared social and political history while looking to the future of queer activism and art.
Founded by five-term City of Edmonton councillor Michael Phair, the festival first took place in the fall of 2007. According to the organization's website, "Exposure uncovers, highlights and celebrates queer arts and culture ... Exposure presents queer artists working in diverse media. By creating environments where artists can explore queer culture and take risks, the festival cultivates creative synergies, thought-provoking displays, social commentary and new possibilities for inhabiting sexuality and gender. Exposure questions and inspires, celebrates and expands the spectrum of queer expression."
The volunteer-run board has worked in collaboration with arts and culture organizations in the city and across the country. The program features artists, activists and scholars who will be offering workshops, giving lectures, performing spoken word and poetry, hosting parties and displaying art that explores themes including gender performance and non-conformity, heteronormativity, two-spirit theory, queer icons, social justice and equality, and the business of art.
While the festival seeks to expose queer artists to new audiences, it is evermore unique as it encourages and depends upon the participation of its attendees. Exposure does not place its audience in a position where they can only passively observe the art or performances. Attendees are invited to join art-making, drag and vogue, and "Mindful Queer Body" workshops and performances. Participation is encouraged so that participants can meet and interact with each other, and can foster solidarity, collaboration and co-operation within and across our local and national queer communities.
The board and volunteers of this year's Exposure Festival are working to build on our community's history of political resistance and revolution. As such, the goal is not just to push back against homophobia and it's certainly not to ask for tolerance from larger society. Instead, Exposure hopes to create environments and events that embody, engage and celebrate (as opposed to merely defend or protect) "abnormal" sexualities. Participating in these events is thus a political act in itself.
Exposure invites activists and artists to join the revolution and think seriously and critically about sexuality, question social norms and regulations, and inspire each other to take social and political action in their own communities.
This year's festival runs from October 20 to 23. Admission to all of the events is free or by donation. All venues are fully accessible and located near public transportation routes.
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