Design Media Blog by Michaela Macasinag

This event was especially important to me because I had to honor to partake in this gallery showing. This event was presented by Planned Parenthood as an exhibition that included topics on bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, health, and justice through the works of local Denver artists. The event was from February 22 to the 23^rd at the ATC DEN gallery on Larimer Street. Although a short time, I was able to attend the opening event and meet fellow artists that had the same interest in gender and sexual health topics in their art works. The opening night featured a variety of works that covered topics of rape culture, miscarriages, and sex positivity. There was a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, some of which included mixed medias like glass and fabrics. Some interesting works that were of interest to me was a three-dimensional work that was mixed media of a baby cradle with a letter inside, the letter read about the artists reasoning as to why she had an abortion and the emotional baggage that came with it- this was a super emotional piece. Another piece was two-dimensional that was drawings of a variety of mermaids that had human-like sexual health issues like periods and sex. This was also nice to see a cross over between the imaginary to the topics that are often hard to talk about. What I took away from this event was not only a great addition to my resume but it was a great platform to investigate sexual health issues.

I attended the artist talk of Damián Sainz at the Center for Visual Arts on Tuesday, February 26^th. Going into the talk, I really had no idea what to expect, all I had known was that Metro had a hard time getting Sainz over to the United States from Cuba. So, I thought that missing out on such a great opportunity and the great length that Metro went to get Sainz over here was well worth the attendance. Damián Sainz is from Havana, Cuba and is a filmmaker, he graduated with a degree in media arts and documentary direction. Sainz main focus in his work is on the LGBTQ+ community and is himself an afroqueer activist. The short video shown at the CVA was centered around gay male culture within Cuban culture. The video features shots of ruins of an old fortress outside Havana that is also an underground gay spot. There is voice commentary throughout the film that slowly reveals the ruins to not only be a spot for gay male Cubans to safely hang out but a symbol of resistance and defiance. I myself, as an artist, focus many of my works on sexuality and gender studies. So, it was such a nice surprise to come to an artist talk that truly spoke to me. I especially like to focus on queer and LGBTQ+ and Sainz does exactly that with his work. The film shown was cinematically intriguing and presented to topic of male homosexuality and politics in such a way that was beautiful and caring.