RE: Season 10 Audition (FTM Plz Consider)

“RE:…” is a major endeavor: the creation of an audition tape for RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, and a documentary about the process. This project is as much sincere enthusiasm for drag culture and the queer community, as it is critical lens of trans identity and inclusion in popular culture. This project was done in collaboration with filmmaker (and transwoman) Keeva Danielle Lough.

A three channel video installation, each video explores a different part of the process of the creation of becoming a transmale drag queen.

This was commissioned by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition for Momentum Ada, a  a festival of film and new media in Ada, OK, with keynote speaker John Waters.

Praxis

In “Praxis,” concepts around trans inclusion, drag culture and the aforementioned television show are explored. Primarily told through talking heads, the artist and various community members discuss the history of trans culture and drag performance, with references to famous representation.

Performance

In “Performance,” six channels alternate between performance art and drag personas to explore the artist’s transition in performance through drag. A twist ending occurs - a real event cut filming short for the audition tape in which the film maker ( a trans woman) and myself were harassed and assaulted in a public park with transphobic and homophobic remarks - showing the continual risks that visibly trans and queer people face in daily life.

Preparation

 In “Preparation,” the physical process and requirements (sewing, makeup, wigs, dancing, singing, etc) of becoming a drag queen are explored. Special attention is paid to marketing, capitalism, and product consumption.