Month: April 2024

Throughout my own private journey of political thought, the place social media has in “the revolution” (this is how I will refer to my ideal end goal of peace, community, and the end of discrimination as I see possible.) is something I’ve spent time pondering. I think that social media movements and participating in them ultimately have one solid purpose: showing solidarity. I am reminded of the song “The Revolution Will not be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron though when I think of any actual real-world application of these methods. The reason “Love” despite its political intention by that of the artist could not prosper in being a good revolutionary tool is that it was too performative. Much like acts of solidarity on social media it is done often with good intention and is not inherently evil or wrong. It is my feeling however that the word as an emblem of peace encourages feelings of joy and togetherness while not expressly cutting ties with those that work directly against peace. Works like the “AIDS” piece are much more powerful expressly because of the way they alienate those who fear the queer community and subsequently aids victims. For marginalized groups peace is not possible when powerful groups exclude them, we cannot spoon feed “peace” to those who won’t face their sins. Revolution in my eyes is not possible through social media, “The Revolution will not be Televised” and it will take the active role of those who are able to band together and remind those who are supposedly in power that the real power lies in the people. 

The purpose of a pin is to express something about one’s self in hopes of finding like minded individuals. Whether it be a band you like, a cause you believe in or just a silly picture of a koala we put pins on in hopes that other people will look at them and go “aha I do that” (like the vine). Personally I am someone who shares a lot about myself. I am a sensitive pisces baby and letting others know that in public settings makes me feel seen and not talking about myself feels like hiding a dirty secret(I hate that!) . Something I’ve had to learn as I’ve gotten older is that just because people know things about me doesn’t mean they know me in the deeper sense. In this piece “Imma pin” as in I am both the round flat button pin in costume form (a-la inspiration from Megan’s thesis performance) as well as I’m depicted as a naked felted lapel pin. This is to tie the relationship between identity and the physical body. As someone raised as a woman I was taught to believe that my body was the most interesting important part of my identity growing up. Now I’m certain it isn’t. But what is? Certainly not my favourite band, my trauma or my mistakes. This however seems to be the basis for the beginning of all of my relationships whether platonic or romantic. They have all grown deeper but I guess that’s the role of a pin/my performance. I tell you and show you a lot about myself in this piece both through that of my silly song, my dance and the actual words telling you that I am a pin on my costume. But what do you really learn about me? Do you feel closer? Do you want to know more? The point of a pin is to curate that first impression I suppose and well…..I’mma Pin. It’s just silly but it’s also more but it’s just silly.