Here, Queer and Babe AF: Our August '18 Portraits of Pride
Photo by Cristina Fisher
A collaboration between #BBATX, Unbounded Agency and Space 24 Twenty, Portraits of Pride was an open happy hour on August 8 meant to capture visual expressions and celebrate queer history.
This event honored activist Marsha P. Johnson, a trailblazing queer trans woman of color who set into motion the gay liberation movement and also affected a generation of social change. Captured on Fujifilm Instax, filmmaker and #bbatx Project and Ops Lead Illyana Bocanegra captured portraits taken behind the scenes on two installations constructed by Anita Obasi of Unbounded Agency—each meant to provoke commentary around the politics of queerness. Developing photos were then hung on clothespins inside a structure painted and designed by Good Snake to create a collective piece of solidarity with and visibility for ourselves and the fellow LGBTQIA+ community.
We are present. We are here.
Portraits of Pride was a celebration of queer history—and a documentation of our community today.
We'd like to thank all who joined us for a memorable night honoring the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. Major thank-yous to our event's sponsors, FujiFilm Instax and Space 24 Twenty, for providing us with the creative liberty to make this shit happen on our terms. We'd also like to thank our in-kind sponsors, Tito's Vodka, Richard's Rainwater and Topo Chico for keeping the bar open, as well as Charlotte's Fiesta Flowers and Ben White Florist for ensuring our flower wall installation was a hit. Here are a few takeaways:
Show up. There is power in our shared experiences. When you live your authentic truth, you give others the opportunity and permission to live theirs.
Know your roots. We can learn from those who came before us. We can seek healing, education, inspiration and resilience from exploring our histories. If you haven't had a chance, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the story and legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. We have much to learn from her bravery.
We are present. You are tomorrow's ancestor. Live like one.
Photo by Cristina Fisher
Photo by Cristina Fisher
MEET THE EVENING'S ARTISTS:
Illyana Bocanegra, portrait photographer
Illyana Bocanegra is a queer latinx artist working in austin, tx as the project and ops lead for #bossbabesatx and a documentary video maker. Her involvement in the queer community comes with providing visibility and a space for self-expression.
Illyana Bocanegra, captured by Tori Reynolds, in front of the Marsha P. Johnson memorial booth. Illyana is wearing a flower crown, hand-crafted by artist and organizer Las Ofrendas.
Anita Obasi, installation artist
Obasi is the founder and Principal of Unbounded Agency, a firm in Texas that specializes in creative strategy and event curation. The agency takes special consideration towards projects that create visibility around traditionally underrepresented demographics, including LGBTQ and POC communities.
Anita Obasi, captured by Tori Reynolds, in the resulting portrait installation (booth painted and designed by Good Snake).
Good Snake, booth/sign painters and designers
Comprised of Kayla Fritz and Hannah Epelbaum, Good Snake specializes in design and hand painting, with heavy emphasis on typography and illustration
Portrait Installation booth, hand-painted and designed by Good Snake, captured by Cristina Fisher.
Mosaico Experiencia, performance artists
Mosaico Experiencia is an intersectional, transcultural instillation for body memory, ancestral activation, and cathartic release AKA a party.
Mosaico Experiencia, captured by Tori Reynolds.
Keep up with this event's PRODUCERS, PARTNERS AND VENUE.
About #bossbabesATX, the producers: We exist to build educated and empowered creative communities at the intersections of sisterhood and space. Through event series, showcases and personal/professional development programs, we amplify and connect women-identifying artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Since we've been in operation, we've provided a platform of visibility, outreach and financial opportunity to 300+ Texas-based women artists, 400+ women-owned businesses and women activists. We were selected by The White House to attend the United State of Women Summit in June 2016 and inducted into the City of Austin Hall of Fame in 2017. This production has been made possible in part by 2018 presenting partners Resplendent Hospitality.
About Unbounded Agency: Unbounded is an agency based in Austin, TX specializing in creative strategy and event curation. The agency takes special consideration towards projects that create visibility around traditionally underrepresented demographics, including LGBTQ and POC communities.
About Space 24 Twenty: Space 24 Twenty is a shared center for retail, local pop-up marketplaces, live music, events and dining in the heart of the Drag on Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas. Rooted in celebrating what’s unique about the local community, it’s a space for bringing together Austin artists, creatives, musicians and designers.