Gender Re-Reveal Party: MCAD

 

In the fall of 2019, AK Garski collaborated with students at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) to throw a second Gender Re-Reveal Party. Over the course of several weeks, Garski worked closely with MCAD Professor Genevieve DeLeon’s Storytelling: Narrative Studio class and Quellective, the student-run LGBTQIA+ organization on campus, and held public decoration making sessions for all students interested in participating in their project.

During the month of September, Garski held weekly party planing meetings and gender fluid decoration-making workshops. They also facilitated an event titled “Beyond the Binary Pizza Party + Discussion,” a dialogue with students about the state of community support for LGBTQIA+ students at MCAD. Together, the group drafted questions for the student panel discussion that took place during the Gender Re-Reveal Party.

Poster Designed by Beau Tate

Poster Designed by Beau Tate

With the combined support of Minneapolis College of Art and Design students and Gallery Director, Kerry Morgan, this second iteration of Garski’s Gender Re-Reveal Party was more elaborate. It included an installation of over 40 hand-painted Mylar balloons, a takeaway artwork, a large-scale balloon drop launched from the 3rd floor over the main gallery, and, of course, cake.

Artist Talk and Student Panel Discussion

Providing the opportunity for community dialogue is a crucial component of this social practice piece. It allows the community to learn about the experiences of young adults who are gender diverse and/or sexually expansive within an educational, respectful environment. Each year, Garski facilitates a discussion with a panel of student leaders. This year the panel addressed the following questions:

  • What does it mean to be an ally? Have you encountered ‘performative allyship’? How can allies truly support people who are gender non-conforming, trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, and/or queer?

  • What are some examples of the emotional labor that you are expected to perform in relationship to your gender expression? What are some microaggressions that you encounter on a regular basis? How could they be prevented?

  • Think of the most positive interactions you have had with others around your gender identity. Describe the experience. What was unique about it? How were you shown validation and respect?

All Gender Restroom Signage

During the first Gender Re-Reveal Party planning meeting, MCAD students noted that there were a very limited number of All Gender Restrooms on campus and expressed interest in creating signs that would allow anyone to use the bathroom safely, without anxiety or fear, regardless of their gender identity. 

All Gender Restroom Signs, a collaborative installation by AK Garski and Beau Tate

All Gender Restroom Signs, a collaborative installation by AK Garski and Beau Tate

Current MCAD student, Beau Tate collaborated with Garski on the design of a series of eight All Gender Restroom signs made from reflective laser-cut acrylic. The materiality of the signs aligned with the Gender Re-Reveal Party’s conceptual theme of reflectivity, encouraging bathroom users to engage with their mirror image.

 Tate installed the signs on October 8, 2019 in conjunction with the hearing of three Supreme Court cases that have the potential to legalize discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace. The signs were installed on the first and second floor, allowing everyone easy access to an All Gender Restroom without having to travel up to the third floor or to another building. Although the students petitioned to keep the signs up, they were deinstalled on October 24, 2019.

Balloon Drop

After the student panel discussion, guests were invited to participate in a balloon drop in MCAD’s main gallery. Balloons were filled with silver glitter (rather than blue or pink) as well as quotes by queer and gender non-conforming writers and public figures. Participants who found one of five gold disks won a book by a selection of queer and/or gender non-conforming authors: