Exhibits,

Spiros Panagirakos Queer Economies

Overall participants: Tony Albert, Frances Barrett, Archie Barry, Nathan Beard, Debris Facility Pty Ltd, Briony Galligan, Rafaella McDonald, Callum McGrath, Spiros Panigirakis, Nikos Pantazopoulos, Parallel Park (Holly Bates and Tayla Jay Haggarty), Francis E. Parker, Charlie Sofo, Amy Spiers, Athena Thebus, Peter Waples-Crowe and Behn Woods, with more to be announced.

Opening Party, Saturday 19 January

• 3–4:30pm Spencer Lai DJ set
• 4–5pm: Performance by Behn Woods, ‘prints’
• 5–6pm: Performance by Amy Spiers, ‘Killjoy Karaoke’
• 6–6:20pm: Performance by Archie Barry, ‘I found this hat on a footpath three years ago’
• 6:30–8pm: Tyson Campbell DJ set

‘Queer Economies’ at Bus Projects forms part of a multi-site exhibition and public program series, which takes its cue from the handmade artworks and objects that queer artist and activist David McDiarmid gifted to friends and loved ones during his lifetime. Following in McDiarmid’s generous logic, ‘Queer Economies’ explores the non-monetary, in-kind economies that emerge within LGBTQIA+ communities, in order to foster resilience, love and connection.

‘Queer Economies’ at Bus Projects presents newly commissioned artworks by Australian LGBTQIA+ artists across all five gallery spaces, alongside a series of associated public programs and performances. Seeking to explore the potentials and possibilities of a ‘queer economy’, this exhibition engages with contemporary artists to critically and subjectively consider: What does a ‘queer economy’ look like, and how might its values of exchange be circulated, commoned or coacted?

In addition to the Bus Projects exhibition, ‘Queer Economies’ encompasses a community-led open call exhibition at St Heliers Street Gallery, Abbotsford Convent inviting the LGBTQIA+ community to contribute an artwork ‘gift’ to someone to whom they are grateful; a series of contemporary video works to be screened after dark as part of the Centre for Contemporary Photography’s Night Projection Window; and a multi-site series of coactive public programs and events taking place during the Midsumma festival period. A publication of commissioned essays and creative contributions will be developed in partnership with Perimeter Editions, to be launched in mid-2019.

Presented by Midsumma Festival in association with Bus Projects, Abbotsford Convent and the Centre for Contemporary Photography, with support from Perimeter Editions and the David McDiarmid Estate.

‘Queer Economies’ is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

‘Queer Economies’ takes inspiration from Gifts from David McDiarmid, a Perimeter Editions publication conceived and developed by Dr. Sally Gray, executor of the David McDiarmid Estate.

The curators would like to gratefully acknowledge the immense generosity of the individuals, communities and organisations that have converged to produce ‘Queer Economies’. Without their care, conversations and fabulous creativity, this project would not have been possible xx