THIS PROJECT, WHILE ONLY EXPOSING ONE SIDE OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS, SHEDS LIGHT ON THE GENERAL SITUATION CONCERNING THE LEVEL OF EMPATHY, PEOPLE-ORIENTEDNESS, AND TOLERANCE OF UKRAINIAN SOCIETY
Queer art generally covers the marginalized part of society, which is not an acceptable heteronormative majority in the dominant cultural and social model. At a glance, it may seem that there are no significant restrictions, harassment or disregard of the LGBT community and queer art in Ukrainian society, compared to its nearest neighbour. Just as a childless woman might think that our environment is quite civilized and comfortable to live in with a child. But only until she has kids and the other side becomes visible - gender discrimination in job search, lack of infrastructure, low level of social security and disregard by others. Similarly, only from the inside, one can fully grasp the complicated relationship of the queer community with society. On one hand, there's rejection by relatives, on the other, religious activism, attacks by far-right groups, and general xenophobic sentiments. To a point, that mentioning one's orientation aloud, displaying art, automatically interpreted as left-wing, can sometimes be life-threatening. Some may consider such art scandalous, a bold gesture and speculation on a topical issue, but speaking openly about their position, the artist deliberately denies themselves countless opportunities. For queer artists, given their publicity, this problem is even more critical.
Virtual space also failed to become a platform for unrestrained self-expression. On the one hand, it is logically conditioned by a protective mechanism and filter, on the other, it does not leave the possibility for self-expression, distribution of works of art that are worthy of attention, treating them as deviant practices, and ultimately, forms an inadequate image of the artist, negatively affecting their development, perception by the rest, and financial success.
Yet, the cultural environment in which queer artists revolve is usually LGBT-friendly and open to the multiculturalism of desires. Until recently, queer and feminist art had no place in Ukrainian cultural institutions. But in recent years, the situation has changed for the more democratic one. There have been noticeable shifts and acceptance by the heteronormative majority. Of course, we're not yet close to establishing fair and equal rights. Still, the widespread recognition of the LGBT community and its removal from the marginalized stratum is happening, albeit gradually and reluctantly.
The project aims to create a concept of the experience of otherness through various artistic media, including drawings, watercolours and photography by the artists who, due to their non-normative vision of gender and sexuality, often fall victim to unfair censorship. Each part of non-traditional artistic practices represents the experience, the identity of each artist, who muses on what it means to be different and develop one's position. Queer artists, through their own socially despised experience and fresh personal perspective, raise issues and topics that ultimately affect everyone.
One does not require permission to make art. One does not require permission to see themselves as art.
(I AM NOT) SENSITIVE CONTENT PROJECT IS DEDICATED TO THE RESEARCH OF CORPOREALITY, GENDER IDENTITY, QUEER PRACTICES IN UKRAINIAN ART, ISSUES OF NON-ACCEPTANCE AND TABOOING OF SAID THEMES THROUGH THE MEANS OF CENSORSHIP IN REAL LIFE AND SOCIAL MEDIA.