Preview: Gender Reel
A new festival changes the way we look at gender through art starting this week
Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 9/6/2011 at 9:44AM
http://blogs.phillymag.com/gphilly/2011/09/06/preview-gender-reel/What is gender? That's the big question the creators of Gender Reel, the East Coast's only multimedia festival addressing gender issues, are asking when it kicks off Sept. 9th through the 11th at venues around town. Non-conforming, variant and transgender and transsexual experiences will all be documented using visual art, film and other mediums that include 16 artists, three installations and 27 films in this first-ever festival of its kind in Philly.
Started by a collective of gender non-conforming, transgender and ally supporters as a response to the lack of inclusion at more mainstream LGB festivals, the founder Joe Ippolito says, "To my knowledge, there are no multimedia festivals in this area that focus on gender non-conforming and transgender experiences and identities." Calling Gender Reel a "grassroots project," he says, "our mission goes beyond just showing art for art's sake. We are interested in using art and film as a platform to raise awareness and educate others about gender non-conforming and transgender issues and experiences."
