Transiting the Queer (Un)commons: Queer Summer Institute in Research Creation

Inspired by radical new poetic methods of digital and intermedial storytelling, transgressive visual techniques emerging from new media platforms, and new activisms engaging with theories of homonationalism, pinkwashing and a global queer (un)commons, this Queer Summer Institute (QSI) at York University offered students immersion in the debates, voices, ideas and images of the current queer/trans digital moment. 

The Institute featured two interconnected graduate courses offered fromMay 2 – 26, 2022: Performing the Queer (Un)commons, taught by Mary Bunch and Global Queer Cinemas Confront the Pink Line, taught by John Greyson.

The QSI culminated in a digital cabaret featuring student work developed in the Institute, workshopped with and directed by Stephen Lawson. 

Some other Institute highlights included: ​​Conversations on TransAmericas Digital Performance with Archer Pechawis & Theo Cuthand and Stephen Lawson & Elyla Sinverguneza, moderated by Laura Levin; Master Class with Chase Joynt, moderated by Casey Mejica; Queer Apartheid Panel with Zackie Achmat, Tim McCaskell & Sa’ad Atshan; Talk by T.L. Cowen and Jas Rault; Master Class in Mnidoo Worlding with Dolleen Tisawii’ashii Manning; Conversation with Mark Gevisser and Michael Bashaija on Digital media and the Pink Line; Screening of Shu Lea Cheung’s Fluidø (2017) followed by questions with the filmmaker, moderated by Michelle Mohabeer; Master Class with Shu Lea Cheung; Masterclass with Nadia Grenados; Nadia Grenados’ performance of Colombianización; A workshop on Co-sensing with Radical Tenderness with Vanessa Andreotti; A talk on Queer Installation/Media/Performance Hybrids featuring Andil Gosine, Allyson Mitchell, Deirdre Logue, and Moynan King; A Panel on Queer South Asian Cinema with Abdullah Quereshi, Lena Manimekalai and lan Rashid, moderated by Natasha Bissonauth; Screening of Billy Frank’s Second Eulogy: Mind the Gap, followed by discussion with filmmaker moderated by Warren Critchlow. 

Co-presented by the Queer Summer Institute in Research Creation, Sensorium: Centre for Digital Arts & Technology, and Hemispheric Encounters Partnership. 

Thank you to our sponsors VISTA, Peripheral Visions Co-Lab, The School of Arts, Media, Performance, and Design Office of the Associate Dean of Research, Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Pleasuredome, the ArQuives, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and Experience York.