The Queers In The Shadows (2023)

Udstillingsstedet Sydhavn Station, Copenhagen (DK)
Materials: Styrofoam, coated aluminum, polyurethane, paint
Dimensions: 120 x 140 x 120 cm
Photo: Mikkel Kaldal

Press:
www.kunsten.nu/skattejagt-udstillingsstedet-sydhavn-station
hwww.idoart.dk/kalender/gruppeudstilling-skattejagt

About the work:
"The Queers in The Shadows" is based on the phenomenon of the 'Hays Code,' a set of self-censorship rules imposed on film producers in the United States from 1934. In essence, these rules stipulated that motion pictures should not depict perversion, etc., including queer characters.
One of the historical ways in which queer characters could be subtly portrayed (‘Queer Coding’) was by presenting them as adversaries who needed to be defeated. The list of 'Queer Villains' is extensive. In Disney alone, we find characters like Hades, Ursula, John Ratcliffe, Jafar, Yzma, Cruella De Vil, Scar, Captain Hook... All known for their over-the-top personalities, drag character traits, and their non-heteronormative agendas that go against the protagonist's or even the hero's agenda.
Even though 'The Hays Code' was officially lifted in the USA in 1968, it has been challenging to reverse this trend. We still see plenty of queers in the shadows of major narratives, portrayed as outsiders, not fitting in, being evil, causing harm, or even dying.