Specifications: 4 hr duration, 30 participants
touch~friends!! wow! wow!!!
A collaboration with Berlin-based sexological bodyworker and artist em~body, this participatory piece critiques the ways in which our relational imagination and skills are shaped by the state’s capitalist agenda. The piece establishes a Temporary Autonomous Zone for visionary world-building, prompting participants to invent new relationship forms and genres.
“There is no single masculinist surge or armed confrontation that will bring the revolution we call for”, writes Jack Halberstam. “There is no magical community response,” writes Mia Mingus, emphasising the role of pods and individual bonds in community care.
How can we survive the collapse and shape change in the world if we are afraid to touch, be touched and be in touch freely, truly, authentically, trustfully, courageously? The piece responds to the urgent political need to build real relationships not based on coercion by leaning into the pleasure of touch and play that can be had along the way.
- + 2. touch~friends!! wow! wow!!!, typeface and poster;
3. touch~friends!! wow! wow!!!, participant’s bunnies;
4. touch~friends!! wow! wow!!!, setup.