The Queer Gaze curated by: Mona Monasar & Frej Haar

I want to recreate what might have been, dig out our existences.

Read more about Ocean's literary series "The Queer Gaze" here.

[Because of the loss, we return to the archives. To find a family, a kinship. To remind ourselves that we are tangible even when our historical contours seem (blurred). An act of care and (be)longing. Some would say that "the problem is in the fluidity of queer heritage/places, their immateriality; the places disappear. The substance is no longer there." I just don't know if I want to agree. In our remembering they exist, because we remember].

On April 19th, we steer our queer gaze towards the archives. Mona Monasar and Frej Haar invite you to an evening titled "I want to recreate what might have existed, dig out our existences," where they collectively tackle the question - what is the practice of queer memory? - and explore what archives and memories can mean for a queer creative practice. They are joined by the artist Sam Hultin, who contributes with "Tears as resistance," a part of the project Eva-Lisa's monument, about the lesbian activist and trans pioneer Eva-Lisa Bengtson (1923–2018).

There will be readings, performances, open (memory) stage and conversations with the queer gaze on the archives. We're talking about: three artists and/or writers who in some way work with archives and memories, the joint remembering in creation.

For the evening, an archive will also be set up where you as the audience can donate your own objects and memories. What is relevant? We're thinking everything: late nights out, first kisses, heartbreaks, used jockstraps, dried flowers, postcards, letters, photos, empty snus boxes—really, anything on which you've left your little homosexual, transgender, bisexual, dear mark on.

Together, we will remember and create something anew, something that has existed and something new. The evening will end with a collectively composed reading of the archive that we have created together throughout the evening.

Sappho said: "I tell you, they will remember us in the future." Mira Bellwether said, "I made this issue myself, now it's your turn." We say, "We long so much to remember with you."

Mona Monasar is a poet and writer who, through her writing, seeks to explore the voids created by absence. She returns to the text in an attempt to recreate kinship, belonging, and a place to call home.

Frej Haar is a poet and writer who simply tries to do something with all the longing and longing that occupies a lot of their time. They visit graves, collect, edit Wikipedia, gather more, write letters, and find it difficult to let go of lesbian historical women, Tom of Finland, Eugène Jansson, cruising, and auction items.

Sam Hultin is an artist who works from their interest in queer history, identity, and community, exploring connections between personal experiences and political and social structures. Through city walks, group singing, and commemorations, Sam often invites queer communities to collectively activate parts of queer history.

The Queer Gaze is organized with support from Kulturrådet, Göteborgs stad, Ideell Kulturallians, Svenska Akademien and collaboration with ABF-Göteborg.

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Accessibility
The Cultural Center Oceanen is a Q-marked culturally historical building, which is challenging when it comes to accessibility. We do our best to have as many people as possible visit us. When visiting us with mobility aids the best-suited entrance is through the stage. This entrance is accessed via Gathenhielmska trädgården. The entrance is locked, please email us the day before your visit or the latest Friday at 16:00 if you are visiting us during the weekend. We have a wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Please note that flashing lights may occur during concerts and events. For questions regarding accessibility email Mia Herman at mia@oceanen.com.