PRESENTS is a video art screening series I co-curate with RA Walden.
PRESENTS is a selection of video works that don’t require an abled or physically present body in order to be performative. Thirteen sick, disabled, d/Deaf, and care-giving artists come together to expand the idea of ‘performance’, presenting work that is embodied and immediate without forcing bodies to conform to ableist norms of art-making. In addition to their video, each artist creates a score for you to perform alongside the work. The scores are instructions, prompts, invitations, or challenges from the artist to the audience. They create a sense of connection to an artist who isn’t physically there, but who speaks to us while we watch their video, and asks us to embody the performance of their artwork.
An archive of the work can be seen at presentsscreening.de.
All of the works, when necessary, were subtitled and audio described in English and German, as well as having versions in German and American sign language. All scores came in written and audio format in English and German. Some of the works played with performative and artistic aspects of these versions, not just making translations of information, but adding new artistic layers and interpretations to the works themselves. The onlnie screening was screen-reader friendly and keyboard navigable, and the in-person screenings were wheelchair accessible, with a variety of seating, a relaxed setting, and stim toys. These access considerations were an integral part of the curatorial concept.
Image credits: PRESENTS 2020 - Panteha Abareshi; PRESENTS 2023 graphic - Cooper Lovano, screenshot - RA Walden
