Voluminous Arts Research Residency, Kaje Projects, Gowanus, Brooklyn, NY
(Sep 2022 - Feb 2023)
For six months, as part of the ongoing “Think Tank” residency initiative at Brooklyn art space Kaje Projects, Voluminous Arts provided micro-residencies of 1-10 days to seven trans and non-binary artists. Designed by Voluminous Arts’ founding director Gavilán Rayna Russom, the micro-residencies were structured around Gowanus’ identity as a marshland. Her residency framing text “Werpos” drew connections between the vital complexity of marshland ecosystems, interdisciplinary creativity, and trans experience. The residency culminated in a three-day festival during which these artists were joined by several additional trans and non-binary artists to celebrate and explore the themes of the residency, and to share their work with the public.
Micro-Resdencies
During the micro-residency period, artists-in-residence Marcy Angeles, Hillary Carelli-Donnell, Ris Gumpert, Cherry Nin, Rat Porridge, Anka Raczynska, and Yvonne LeBien engaged in open-ended practice based and practice led research activities that included sound, music, video, performance, and writing. Some of these micro-residencies included public events, while others were private. Each artist worked with the framing prompt in their own way, making use of the space and time to explore the edges and in-between spaces of their work and process.
Three Days Festival
At the close of the residency, the artists-in-residence, along with guest artists and participants in Voluminous Arts’ DJ Access program came together to share creative work and trans-centered community over three days of open to the public programming. Day one featured live performances of music by Mercury Symbol, Yvonne LeBien and Anka Raczynska. Day two featured films, conversations, performances, and music from Marcy Angeles, Ris Gumpert, Yvonne LeBien, Rat Porridge, and Cherry Nin. The festival’s closing day featured DJ sets from Joz, Theoretic, Scotia, P1nkstar, and Xana101.
