WMN* presents Intimacy & Care
WMN* hosts their sixth event Intimacy & Care this past weekend at Reference Point 180. The event, curated by Elettra Giunta featured a live performance, a visual exhibition and panel discussion around themes of intimacy, consent, nudity and censorship in creative practices.
WORDS FELICIA CHIAPPETTA | IMAGES SHOKIRIE CLARKE
The lights dimmed to a warm orange. The space is compact with projections and artwork of bodies. Some were caressing each other, others painted, and one laid out in alphabetical order across a series of prints.
If you attended Intimacy & Care, hosted by WMN* at Reference Point 180 on July 18, this was your world for the evening.
Curated by Elettra Giunta, Intimacy & Care was a night full of honouring the beauty in themes like nudity, the closeness of bodies, and the ways censorship and safety shape creative practices.
The night’s itinerary began with a dance performance by Salomé Pressac, a moment to appreciate visual exhibitions by Yolanda Liou, Ambrosia Fortuna and Susan Kellaway, a panel discussion led by Ella Monnerat with the featured artists along with filmmaker Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor and intimacy co-ordinator El Wood, followed by Nina Signorina’s DJ set to close off the night.
A soft ambient sound surrounded the space as Salome emerged herself from behind the DJ table. In simple attire, she slowly walked through the empty space allotted for her. She made no contact with the audience, but made sure we knew she arrived; planting herself behind a thin sheet hanging from the ceiling and stepping into the most exquisite demi-point I had ever seen in my entire life.
“The piece that I presented tonight was mostly about the care that I’m taking to navigate through this injury at the moment and still find ways to express my artform,” Salome shares.
Her movements were fluid. They felt honest, careful; yet care free. Perfectly setting the tone for the evening ahead.
Coming out of pride month, Elettra was inspired to reflect on love and care as central themes. This became the foundation for the evening which explored intimacy, the body, closeness and nudity-while also looking at how censorship and concerns around safety shape artistic expression.
“I started to research various artists and slowly brought together a theme that felt cohesive but also very honest,” mentioned Elettra.
Carving out space for a discussion panel meant building trust between the artists who actively share their work, and partakers who actively receive it.
“There isn’t ever enough time to get to talk to the artists, so I really wanted to have a space for conversation,” Elettra shared.
Being the sixth event for WMN*, she wanted to incorporate something that past events haven’t had the chance to do.
The role of an intimacy coordinator, how to set boundaries, and what artists hope to see in the creative work space when it comes to safety and autonomy were all topics part of the conversation.
“It was very enlightening and I felt very reflective,” mentioned Sarah Baugsto; an attendee who resonated with the insights shared during the panel discussion.
While Elettra hopes that audience members can leave feeling inspired, she also hopes that the featured artists felt like they got to shine, sharing who they are and what they do.
“Whenever I’m dancing, it’s always very vulnerable because I’m giving a part of my soul to the audience,’ Salome shares. “I hope [the audience] takes away a sense of love and care for themselves.”
