Joy in Kink Art Exhibition
Exhibition Title: Joy in Kink
Institution: MIR International Rubber Weekend
Role: Co-Curator with Riley
Date: 11/03/2022 - 11/06/2022
Exhibition Summary:
When we think of kink and BDSM, generally what first comes to mind is power — Dominance, D/s relationships, roleplay, etc. However, a less discussed underlying connection within these types of relationships is one of trust and joy-seeking. In a society that seeks to control the way we express and seek joy and pleasure, embracing and expressing these joys becomes a form of power and resistance when we find ourselves in the face of adversity. This is particularly true for those of us at the intersection of multiple structural modes of discrimination.
This exhibition seeks to acknowledge, explore, and demonstrate the liberatory power in joy-seeking through kink practices. While each of these artists’ kinky interests and relationship to kink differs, they are all aligned in that they find joy through kink and have used artistic expression to share this joy.
See the below gallery for images of the works included in this show. Read more about the seven artists included in the show here. See photos from the opening reception here.
*Special thanks to William of MIR for giving Riley and I the space and platform to curate this show and to the seven artists for trusting us to showcase their works.
Mr. International Rubber, Joy in Kink Opening Reception, November 3rd, 2022, Center on Halsted Chicago IL, photos by Magnus Wynter
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Rush
Unbound x Control 1
glossy photo print, 8 x 8”, 12 x 12” framed
photo by Joshua Mike
Unbound x Control 2
glossy photo print, 8 x 8”, 12 x 12” framed
Unbound x Control 3
glossy photo print, 8 x 8”, 12 x 12” framed
photo by Justin R
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Zach Grear
SERVICE
marker on paper, collage, 8.5 x 11”, 10 x 13” framed, 2021
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Larry Buller
Bondage Boi
low-fire clay, decals, gold luster, 10 x 15”
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nosoxnosex
Clouded mind
animated gif, 800 x 800 pixels
cocoon v1
animated gif, 800 x 800 pixels
cocoon v4
animated gif, 1384 x 1384 pixels
PUMP! VERSION 2020
animated gif, 800 x 800 pixels
Puppy Love
animated gif, 800 x 800 pixels
Toys
animated gif, 800x800 pixels
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Vee Electropapi
Holiness as Liberated Queerness
Part 1: Crucifixion
glossy photo print, 7 x 5”, 12 x 9.5” framed
Part 2: Ascension
glossy photo print, 7 x 5”, 12 x 9.5” framed
Part 3: Sanctification
glossy photo print, 7 x 5”, 12 x 9.5” framed
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Abhijeet
Leash Dress
leashes, 2022
screen printing by Henry Voellmecke
Leash Dress Photoshoot
glossy photo prints, 11 x 14”, 11 x 17” framed, 2022
photos by Secret Queen
additional credits — Pup Carter, Pup Champ, Pup Magnus, Pup Snacks, Pup Twerp, Alpha Pup Red, Jay Sin, Sweet Lu
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Vee Electropapi
Holiness as Liberated Queerness: The Saint and the Sinner
Single-channel video
00:07:48
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Dillon Rose Gardner
20 Bands to Start
Single-channel video
00:04:55
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Abhijeet
Interactive Leash Dress Performance
Mr. International Rubber (MIR) Opening Ceremony, November 4th, 2022
After having the leash dress on display for a day, we de-installed it so Abhijeet could activate the dress through performance at the MIR opening ceremonies. We then re-installed it into the exhibition space the next morning for folks to see over the remainder of the weekend. Pictured here you can see Abhijeet descending into the audience inviting folks to “clip in” to the dress
