Bay Area Deaf Arts exhibition
There is a virtual art gallery experience called the “Bay Area Deaf Arts” that is curated by Antoine Hunter, who is deaf and an internationally acclaimed dancer and advocate. The exhibit opened yesterday and continues through February 21.
It features artwork by Hunter and six other artists or organizations. I’ll show you some images sent in from the organizers.
[Images]
Here is an interview with Antonie Hunter and his colleague Zahna Simon. They run the Urban Jazz Dance Company.
ANTONIE HUNTER:
Hello. I’m Antonie Hunter. I’m also known as Purple Fire Crow, that’s my indigenous name too.
ALEX (DAILY MOTH):
You’re already a well-known dancer, activist, speaker, and many more. You are also now a curator and designer for the Bay Area Deaf Arts. Can you explain what that looks like?
ANTONIE HUNTER:
Yeah. I hold many hats. Basically, Deaf arts for me is about the Deaf lens and the ways in which we see the world. We as Deaf people are often marginalized in this hearing world, and they don’t see us and often don’t see where we are. So, I’ve been finding other people to join. Many people think I’m a dancer only, but that’s not true. I love to help people. I’m a bridge. I understand the feeling of being left out and not being a part of the world. I get it. So, there are many artists out there and I’d love to have Deaf art in one place in San Francisco called SOMArts. That’s one of the oldest art galleries, museums and exhibits, in the heart of San Francisco. There are many famous people who share their art and sell their art there, and educate through their art. Powerful. We already placed everything there in person and it took hours, and now will do VR/AR with the space so that way people from all over the world can see it.
(VIRTUAL REALITY CLIP)
ALEX (DAILY MOTH): You mentioned that you want to invite voices of deaf people and deaf people of color. Where are their voices. Can you expand on that question and what made you think of that question?
ANTONIE HUNTER:
Many artists who are white have more opportunities than BIPOC Deaf artists. I’ve experienced that myself as well as a Cherokee and African Deaf person. Sometimes -- I have a lot of experience but another white person has no experience but ends up being hired anyway. Why? Racism and discrimination. So, I understand that feeling. I want a space where diversity is there. Diversity is important. And that’s rare, unfortunately, to have diverse spaces of Deaf art led by BIPOC Deaf people.
[Sponsored Video from Convo: https://www.convorelay.com/download]
ZAHNA SIMON:
Now in 2021, it’s ok to open our hearts and our minds to learn new things. Maybe when we were young, we had no interpreter or access with art. It’s ok to try again. The more open you are, the more light can be a part of your life, and the more you can understand what other people do too, through their art, work, and passion. That way , the more we can connect. I think there’s a lot of wonderful Deaf art around the U.S. and the world. Both Deaf and hearing people might not understand art or dance. But if you take the time to understand, then you have the time and opportunity to connect.
ALEX (DAILY MOTH):
Great looking art gallery! In addition to the virtual experience, you can take workshops or attend panels with the artists. The schedule is on the event website and the link is in the transcript.
https://somarts.org/event/bada/
https://www.realurbanjazzdance.com/