Untangling the Mirage – Forms of Queerness and Resistance

A conversation along with screenings of “Mirage” and “Untangle” by Avril Stormy Unger

How do constructs of time and space shape an artistic expression that traverses several disciplines and socio-cultural contexts? How do we look at interdisciplinarity as a form of queer articulation? How do sexuality and queerness build a dialogue with the public space? In what ways does the artist’s expression of dissent negotiate questions of identity, agency and form?

For this conversation, Avril Stormy Unger will be joined by her collaborators, based in India and New York, to talk about the artistic journey, their own personal and local contexts as well as socio-political intentions which are manifested in her works “Mirage” and “Untangle”. You are invited to join in the conversation, share your thoughts with the artists and open up new discourses.

“Mirage” is a performance intervention at an upmarket mall in Bangalore, India, highlighting structural inequalities in accessing basic necessities such as healthcare and clean water. View Mirage here.

“Untangle”, a video work, is based on the redefinition of self and identity, through the journey of unpacking internalised societal expectations. View Untangle here.

In conversation:

- Avril Stormy Unger, curator and artist, India
- Sonal Giani, producer, India
- Prashansa Gurung, cinematographer, India
- Nabi A., editor, New York
- Paro, sound for Untangle, India

The discussion will be moderated by Mandeep Praikhy.

This event will take place on zoom, you can register here. Please note, the zoom discussion will be live-streamed on Oyoun's online platforms - YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook.

ABOUT THE ARTIST AND MODERATOR

Avril Stormy Unger is an interdisciplinary artist whose practice spans across durational performance, movement art, public interventions and installations. Her work is heavily informed by the nuances of performance and seeks to challenge accepted social norms and behaviours. Her practice includes folk art and is inherently Indian. The themes explored in her work include gender, trauma, sexuality, religion, memory and urban living. Avril is also a certified mental health practitioner. avrilstormyunger.com 

Mandeep Raikhy is a dance practitioner with a particular interest in exploring the intersections between dance creation, performance, research, and pedagogy. He trained at Trinity Laban and worked with ShobanaJeyasingh Dance Company, London, for several years. Mandeep has created and toured extensively for many of his dance works, notably Inhabited Geometry (2010), a male ant has straight antennae (2013), Queen-size (2016), Anatomy of Belief (2019) and The Secular Project (2020-21). Since 2009, Mandeep is Managing Director at Gati Dance Forum, where he has worked to develop a supportive environment for contemporary dance in the country through projects as diverse as residencies, festivals, publications, and advocacy initiatives. He is currently teaching as an assistant professor at the MA Performance Practice (Dance) at Ambedkar University, Delhi. This practice-based masters programme in dance is the first of its kind in South Asia. mandeepraikhy.wordpress.com

EMBODIED ARTS FESTIVAL

Curators, artists and cultural practitioners have been exploring identities, belonging and embodied memories through diasporic, decolonial and queer perspectives as part of Oyoun’s first curatorial focus: EMBODIED TEMPORALITIES. The outcomes, encounters and queries will be presented and celebrated during the EMBODIED ARTS FESTIVAL from 8th - 18th April. View all events here.

Contact us at hallo@oyoun.de if you have any questions.