VV Underground hosts first Visual Vernacular festival in DC
Renca Dunn, Daily Moth Reporter: Hello! I’m here in Washington, D.C. for the first visual vernacular festival ever hosted in America. This festival was hosted by the VV Underground founding team: Justin Perez, Joel Ortiz, and Lisa McBee. This team hosted the first-ever VV festival in America. There were 18 different Deaf VV artists that came from 11 different countries. The festival was from May 24th to 25th. There were workshops during the day and performances during the night. So, this is a recap of what happened during the weekend.
[Video clips of the festival and workshops]
Justin Perez: The goal of this VV festival is to expose what VV looks like. We want to inspire others. Here in America, we do not have much exposure on what VV is as compared to Europe and other countries in the world are more familiar with VV. So, I want to raise more exposure here. And of course, VV is a beautiful expression of art with hands. Music to our eyes.
[Video clips of the festival and workshops]
Guiseppe: I have been involved with VV for 42 years. I went viral with my first story “Music in the Car.” Now, I will perform this tonight. I look back to the first time I did this and doing it now, I feel like I am doing this for the first time again. I am so excited to perform.
Senad: I am ready to start and let my hands do the work. It is a good feeling. I am so ready!
Cristiano: You know here in the USA, many people tell stories in ASL, but with VV, it brings the world in and inspires everyone!
[Video clips of the festival and workshops]
Deidra: I have been looking around the different booths here and I love supporting all of them. I love seeing different Deaf artists sell their work. What I would love to see is more Deaf artists, especially local ones to come and sell their work too! So, next time, more of you should come!
Chelsea: I have been enjoying myself here. It is nice to see some old faces and new faces and just seeing people come by here.
Kerie: It has been so wonderful! I met many international people, local people, and out-of-state people. Amazing.
Chelsea: Unique people.
[Video clips of the festival and workshops]
Eri: When VV underground asked me, I was like, “What? Me?!” And I get to go to America, wow! It is pretty far from Japan. I wanted to challenge myself and go. I was so nervous. I see other professionals here but as I went on stage for the first time, I poured out my heart. It was such a good experience. Thank you!
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Joel: What’s next for us? We plan on more media distribution and work on our website, Instagram, not just for America but for the world too. We want to reach out to not only adults, but children too because they are our next generation. The Deaf children get to see our VV underground team and what we do so they can pass on the torch!
Justin: I agree.
Lisa: It was such an inspiring experience for me with this VV festival. People from all over the world came. There were many different individuals and languages but with VV - it brings us together through art and allows everyone to show their work. We want to inspire everyone with VV.