Programming + Organizing
To Imagine a Form of Life was a four-part class exploring memory work and lesbian poetics. The program was organized by DC-based curator and writer Fabiola Ching alongside her collaborators from Hermetic State. Through hands-on workshops and language exercises, they pose questions about the ways we learn about survival and bodily excavation; whose movements of love did our bodies learn to mimic?
The class includes original writing and workshops by Oreoluwa Akinyode, Mayah Lovell, Fabiola Ching, and Adaeze Okere and is inspired by Afronowism theory, black lesbian esoterics, and the work of June Jordan. Graphic illustrations are by Saizami Tripathi. With gratitude towards WPA for fascilitating, encouraging, and funding this project.
Here is a re-cap.
Hermetic State presents Utopia NOW - from May 8th through 31st 2021 at The Corner
Utopia Now calls for a collective retirement from the business of shame and scarcity, and asks the ways that sweetness, rest, enjoyment, and play can translate to tangible care within our ecologies.
A community installation at The Corner at Whitman Walker. Featuring a mural by Anisa Olufemi and a video piece entitled “Under Sub-Saharan Rain” by Hermetic State. Utopia Now closed with live reading event at The Corner featuring Oreoluwa Akinyode, Zami, M. Lovell, and Morgan B. This installation is inspired by The Nap Ministry.
Book Lovin’ Dykes is a social practice through which we congregate around literature.
Reading to each other, writing in unison, and teaching each other. BLD features book clubs, writing workshops, readings, and lectures.
If you’re interested in hosting a BLD event, be it a workshop, lecture, book discussion, dinner, or just a hang, please email hermetic.state@proton.me