Global Hybrid Queeratorial Experimental Project was led by artist duo Tony Macarena as part of Global Experience Project (GEP), sponsored by The Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation. This project was a nine-month hybrid seminar program which included participation in Pride Toronto 2023, an online hybrid component and travel to México City for Art Week in February 2024.
Ten LGBTQ2SIA+ Graduate and Undergraduate students from a wide range of programs were selected to participate in this project, working along side of Tony Macarena [Lorena Canales and Alejandro Olavarri]. Tony Macarena is a queeratorial duo working in Mexico City and Guadalajara, they have been invited by OCAD University to conduct this nine-month international program. The arts duo worked directly with a group of ten selected students to create two exhibition projects, one in Toronto and one in Mexico City. Both exhibitions explored the intersection of three subjects queerness, plants, and archives.
"I/US/WE TEND queer TO GARDENS plants AND ARCHIVES memory, OR IS IT, THE OTHERed WAY (A)ROUND? " - Tony Macarena
Artists Tony Macarena started the project by visiting Toronto, ON and meeting with the students. While in Toronto the artists and students visited Toronto's Queer Arquives, to learn about Toronto's history through articles, archives, and memorabilia.
Throughout the week the group designed, curated and installed their collaborative exhibition at Stackt Market in Toronto, holding their opening reception as part of Pride Toronto 2023, inviting members of the public and OCAD University community members.
Over the next nine-months the artists met with the group of selected students virtually once a month to hold discussions, shared research and project planning for their next exhibition in Mexico City. Students had the opportunity to work independently throughout the nine-months to create work that could travel with them. Tony Macarena conducted virtual site-visits and regular check-ins, allowing the students to come together virtually to problem solve and work collaboratively on overarching themes and curatorial decisions together.
In February 2024, students had the opportunity to travel to Mexico for one-week, exhibiting their work in Art Week. The artwork students created over the nine-month long program was transported with them, assembled and installed at a local venue JXTX. While in Mexico, students had the opportunity to explore local art stores, plant stores and hardware stores to collect natural native materials to include in their installations and artwork. They held their public exhibition opening as part of Art Week and were able to connect with local artists, community members and OCAD U Alumni residing in Mexico City.
Students also had the opportunity to visit local artist studios with Tony Macarena while in Mexico, connecting them directly to the local arts community. Students had leisure time to enjoy the local cuisine, explore local art museums and natural attractions, as well as visit the top Art Fair Pavilions such as Zona Maco, Salon ACME and Material Art Fair.
Participating Students:
- Lo Bil
- Deepikah Bhardwaj
- Elfy Castro
- Angie Maria Sanchez Garcia
- Anqi Li
- Eira McIntosh
- Sal Lovink McKinnell
- Ricardo Quiza Suarez
- Jes Thomas
- Aneel Vyas
This project is generously sponsored by: Jack Weinbaum Family Foundation Global Experience Project