Dynastic/Fantastic: A Noire Pageant Exhibition presented by Hartless Malone
How do Performers of Color (PoCs) situate themselves in the present and prepare for the future to become legendary? This exhibition explores the paths that contemporary PoCs take to strategically position themselves to gain notoriety, economic stability and create social change.
A dynasty is a family of rulers who maintain and transfer power through familial lines. For PoCs in burlesque, this is achieved through forming and maintaining alliances and creating spaces to claim and reclaim power. These “familial” alliances may present themselves as dance companies, productions, pageants, festivals, and mentorships.
A legend is described as a fantastic, unsubstantiated story or a person who has created an extensive and notable body of work in their career. The burlesque artist, the fans and tastemakers conspire to propel the artist’s ascension into greatness. These featured artists are laying the groundwork with deliberate acts of presentation, performance, entrepreneurship, and archiving.
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These performers and entrepreneurs carry tradition, channel power, archive their journey, create their own glamour, pay homage to their ancestors and create a path for their own financial stability.
POCs form familial-like relationships in the burlesque community through companies, troupes and mentoring. Dynasties require allegiance, power and time. They are concerned with and contingent upon honoring the past, reveling in the present and preparing for the future.
POCs position themselves for prosperity and relevance through entrepreneurship. These producers, designers and craftspeople serve the audience, performer and self. They bridge gaps and fulfill a variety of needs.
Enjoy the virtual exhibition below.
