I've previously mentioned quite a large number of art and photographic exhibitions that were held over the summer that are about or by trans people. Here are some more currently on. For all the rage against trans people in some places these days, there seems to be a lot of showcasing of genuine trans lives at the moment.
1) Outside the Western world I notice what looks to be a beautiful photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, by photographer Mohamad Abdouni who captures the queer culture of the Arab world. Yes, the Arab or muslim world has always had a significant queer culture and the attacks on it are often influenced by Western sociopolitical ideas that came with colonialism and the search for oil rather than by conservative native ones.
A review of Treat Me Like Your Mother: Trans* Histories from Beirut's Forgotten Past with photos is here: i-D Magazine
"In Lebanese culture" Abdouni says, you always respect the mother. It doesn't always necessarily have the best connotations, but when you're arguing in the face of misogynistic behaviour you can use that: reminding the other person that that person could be their mother."
The accompanying book synopsis: Cold Cuts
More of Abdouni's similar previous work can be seen here:
2) Nanténé Traoré, trans photographer and writer. His exhibitions of photos of trans people taking hormones are intended to show that trans people are like everyone else, seeking mutual support, chatting together over their hormones, and wanting to live their best lives ... and also to take trans people out of a world of folklore and subversion that might be wrongly attributed to them by others.
Fisheye Magazine interview (not for needlephobes) and only in French.
3) Marcus Branch's Smell Your Flowers solo exhibition at Mission in Arts (MiA) in Philadelphia, USA. Branch is a photographer who intends to "uplift, honor and celebrate Black and Brown members of the trans community" in response to a significant number of trans deaths.
Philadelphia Gay News review
It's fitting to mention this here as we approach transgender day of remembrance.
4) On a lighter note, I'll end with a link to an exhibition that is not trans-related at all, but Vincent Olinet's wigs as mops used in the publicity for the current exhibition of his work made me laugh. I think some of my old well-worn wigs are probably only fit for mopping now! A second life for used hair. See here: Vincent Olinet
Weight loss
Only a pound off (half a kg) this week, but still in the right direction. I am following the tried and tested Slimming World healthy eating plan and a spectacular weight loss in the first week is normal before it slows down. Nearly half a stone gone so far.
A dip in the archives
For copyright reasons I haven't copied any of the photos in the exhibitions above (click the links to view selected images from the shows). So here's me posing for a professional trans photographer, Stella M, back in 2014.
Interesting post, dear Sue. Quite a lot to click in. The Beirut guy seems to be very interesting. And a very nice photo of you.....
ReplyDeleteAll the best and have a good time
Violetta
Thanks, Violetta, I'm glad you found the Beirut show interesting too. Sue x
DeleteOh that wig mop art is amazing! Cheeky, fabulous, and beautifully put together as well.
ReplyDelete"We absolutely *must* go to this salon with the wig mops. Why? Well, if the cleaning equipment looks that good, imagine what they might do for us!" 😁
Lol. Thanks, Lynn. Sue x
DeleteDear Sue, I am sorry for not having visited your blog in a while. Despite my having signed up as a follower, I am strangely not being alerted for new postings. Congratulations on your weight loss. I know it is a hard way, but it is well worth taking from my experience. Any I very much like your picture with that cute smile. Love, Franzi
ReplyDeleteThanks, Franzi. I used to be slim but for various reasons I put on a lot of weight after 2013.
DeleteBlogger is doing strange things and it often doesn't alert me to things either even when I request them. Following a blog doesn't mean you get automatic notifications but you have to request them separately. Blogger terminated its email alert service recently so that may be the problem. And if you want a blog to go on the Reading List you have to put it there in addition to Following the blog.
Sue x