It’s often hard to see formal institutions like universities as places that could hold space for the celebration of Queer and BIPOC arts. But even within these institutions, we can see a shining shift towards highlighting voices of underrepresented groups. 

The UBC club Exposure intends to do just that. The student-led organization looks to build a conscious, creative community and accomplished exactly that through a month-long event called ARTIVISM: Queering the Self. 

This series, directed by Bianca Santana, was a festival of creative resistance that explored ways of being in the digital era. Through student performances, webinars, parties, art exhibitions, drag shows and more, ARTIVISM showcased diverse activist art practices and dialogue. 

As media coordinator of Exposure, I had the joy of capturing various moments on film from the month-long event. Here were some of the highlights:

Self, etc was a music showcase of some of UBC’s best Queer and BIPOC talent. This free event exhibited music from Hoodie Browns, Nota, and Serlof. Hosted inside a theatre at UBC, this showcase was an intimate experience like no other. The setting of the small theatre, along with the conversational atmosphere brought about a personal feeling that isn’t normally shared during concerts. The performers took some time discussing their relationship with music and culture, by unpacking the stories behind each song. There was even a collaboration between Hoodie Browns and Nota, where they sang about being ‘homegirls’. The combination of soulful sounds, intimate conversations, and transcendent performances accompanied by a backdrop of moving jellyfish was truly a night to remember. 

Drag and Drop was a magical night of experimental drag in collaboration with UBC Drag and UBC alumni who do drag. The event hosted professional drag artists at Koerner’s Pub including Maiden China and Continental Breakfast, whose drag drag that tackles activism at the core of their work, especially Indigenous and Queer centered activism. On top of emotional performances of lip syncing and experimental dance movements, the artists spoke to the audience about the importance of being involved in our communities and participating in efforts of decolonization. This event took place at Koerner's pub at UBC campus, which was the first time UBC hosted a drag show!

Cyborg Transension transcended time, space and gender in a night of music, spoken word, dancing, and celebrating queer trans love. Performers and guests alike showed up to the Chinese Gardens in their most vibrant, cyberpunk outfits to express the fluidity that comes with creativity.

In an interview with Bianca Santana, the director of ARTIVISM, we discussed the origins of the festival and its growing intentions. “When I chose the topic of Queering The Self my hope in choosing this theme was to create a space for marginalized voices from our community to explore the different intersections of their identity through the lens of the digital.” 

Bianca’sfavourite event of the series was, “Online Dating While Queer and BIPOC a webinar hosted by Luna Matatas, who is a sex and pleasure educator with over ten years of experience in sexual health and wellness. She highlighted important themes including racial fetishization, sexual expectations and decolonizing beauty standards. It was a thorough and important workshop in talking about the unique experiences BIPOC and Queer individuals face in online dating and sex.” 

Queering the Self not only explored topics of gender and sexuality but invited us to address identity by examining the range of systems of oppression that sometimes shift our ideas of self. The goal was to look beyond these systems to embrace a more fluid way of being. Queering is something we do, rather than something we are (or are not).

There are few  spaces in our community where BIPOC or Queer folk have a space to share and talk about their experiences openly. Art is such a powerful, though often overlooked, tool to create  social change and shape our communities. It is a tool to challenge colonial frameworks to facilitate and amplify spaces where minority voices are at the forefront. Through the work that ARTIVISM centered it allowed us to do just that.

Check out @exposure_ubc on Instagram for updates on upcoming events you can attend in Vancouver!

Tasheal Gill is a film production student with a passion for storytelling through various artistic platforms. She is dedicated to uplifting BIPOC voices, and telling stories through a socially conscious lens. Follow her on Instagram (@tashealgill).