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Queer Iowa Artists
A Queer Question
Hi, Mark McCusker here.
I'm compiling Queer data.
I was inspired recently when an Arts Grant Panel said they were:
"Bothered by the use of the term "queer" in the application - one panelist didn't understand it wasn't derogatory."
I met with Iowa's department of Cultural Affairs and Arts Council to discuss the creation of Queer Iowa Artists and this piece A Queer Question.
We had meetings to discuss possibilities.
On Facebook I've made an event page called A Queer Question.
I've emailed folks and asked them "Can you help me with a Queer question?" and "What are your thoughts on Queer?"
I'd like your input.
What are your thoughts on Queer?
HERE ARE SOME RESPONSES
others forthcoming
Post your thoughts on Queer, click comment, below and right.
About Me
- ACE = Art Culture Experiments
- We're a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit Arts & Culture organization that celebrates the body in 2, 3, and 4 dimensional works. EMAIL Ace12thNight@gmail.com PHONE 319 853 8223 ADDRESS ACE, Old Brick, 26 E Market St, Iowa City, IA 52245 We are funded by the City of Iowa City, the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, et al.
3 comments:
Am I the only one to respond? Has no other person wished to address this question? It is a bit undefined as a question. Maybe this is why?
So, lets see... it is a word with more than one definition that requires context to understand what purpose it is serving at the moment it is used. I don't find it to be a very pretty word. It starts out OK, but has too many e's to be lyrical. On the other hand, I do like using it when I encounter something I find odd that has caught me by surprise. The squeal like quality of the double "e" seems appropriate to demonstrate my confusion.
It is, of course, also a "devil" word used by those of limited vocabulary to describe a human lifestyle that they can not understand because someone hit them in the brain with THE Bible which, by-the-way, they can not understand either. But then this is old news just like the fact that many people fear the word because of its sound and do not understand the useful word "context" so they worry more about their conformity more than the truth that words only have the meanings that we give them. "Sticks and stones..." Now this I find very queer.
In the context of art, queer means to me something that deviates from cultural norms.
For example, popular nude photography often focuses on womens' bodies from a very narrow perspective. Most models are young, wrinkle-, sag- and bulge-free, and portrayed in a passive pose. An example of queer nude photography is something focusing on naked ginormous mohawk-ladies, or naked old men touching each other.
I identify as a queer artist because I like to make art that subverts and critiques social norms.
Gypsy
I guess this word depends on what context is being used...if people feel offended by it because it means strange, versus, gay being happy,seems narrow minded to me.
Even though I guess my sexual preference could be mostly described as straight (i used to call myself bisexual but now it can only be described as asexual)I consider myself to be a queer person. I do not and have never been able to feel that I am a part of so called normal behavior. I am also an artist so I guess that would make me a queer artist. As an addition I am often happy,elated and exhuberant so I guess that would make me a gay artist.
I really just respect that people should be able to call themselves what ever they wish. I have never really been a fan of labels myself but I do respect people's need, want or expression of whatever term they wish to use for themselves.
I wonder how offended many people would be if facebook or some other site posted a group called faggots because that's what i call myself but people do....you could make the same argument for the n word.
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