Why are art and queer people often the first targets and scapegoats for oppressive regimes and totalitarian governments?
What can we learn from past experiences of both coordinated queer and trans erasure and art censorship, as we build strategies for resistance and the brave, uncompromising creative solidarities that we need now?
For Outburst Salon #10, we’re excited to welcome acclaimed writer, film curator and organiser So Mayer to Belfast for a conversation around A Nazi Word for a Nazi Thing (2020), their brilliant book-length essay on art, film, bodies and fascism. Starting with reflections on 1930s Nazi party book burnings and the intentionally shaming “degenerate art” exhibition, the essay explores queer film, queer erasure and the idea of the “anarchive” as resistance. We’ll read short extracts from the book together and see where the conversation takes us.
So’s work includes short stories collection Truth and Dare (Cipher Press/2023), Unreal Sex (ed. with Adam Zmith, Cipher Press/ 2021) and Space Crone (ed.), a collection of feminist writing by Ursula K. Le Guin (Silver Press/2023). They’ve contributed to The Film We Can’t See (BBC Sounds), Sight & Sound film magazine and work with queer feminist film curation collective, Club Des Femmes.
You can read more about So and their work at somayer.net and their books will be available from Paperxclips queer bookshop at 162 North Street, Belfast.
As ever, Salon is a free Outburst event where we explore queer ideas and art together in a welcoming, informal and chatty set-up. All are welcome, you don’t need to do any prep or have any specific previous knowledge.
To keep things conversational, places are limited to 30 and registration is essential. As spaces are limited, you can only register for one place in your own name.
ACCESS DETAILS:
The event is totally relaxed and you can come and go as you need to
The event will last roughly until about 20:30 (90 mins)
There is a gender neutral loo in the meeting space.
The space is fully wheelchair accessible.
The space has a dedicated air filter and face masks will be available if you choose to use them.
If you are shy or nervous about coming along, Ruth and Caleb from Outburst are happy to say hi and welcome you when you arrive, drop us a line at hello@outburstarts.com up to 2pm on the day of the event and we’ll be looking out for you.
There is free tea, coffee and water in the space. You can also bring your own non-alcohol refreshments.
The Salons usually last until about 8.30pm. Sometimes folks who come along like to hang out to chat for longer in a nearby pub, feel free to keep it going!
