A
James Bantone, IM LIVIN (2019). Exhibition view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.
B
James Bantone, Facts & Fictions (1-3) (2019). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.

C
James Bantone, IM LIVIN (2019). Exhibition view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.
D
James Bantone, BrokenSilenze.net (2019). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.

E
James Bantone, Wha Ha Happened Was (Joseline & Karlie) (2018). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.
F
James Bantone, Wha Ha Happened Was (Erica & Ariane) (2018). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.

G
James Bantone, Wha Ha Happened Was (Rasheeda & K. Michelle) (2018). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.

H
James Bantone, Facts & Fictions (1-3) (2019). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.

I
James Bantone, Facts & Fictions (1-3) (2019). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.

J
James Bantone, BrokenSilenze.net (2019). Installation view. Image courtesy the artist + Space Space Gallery, Zurich.


Examining representations of race & queer experience through the lens of artist James Bantone in Zurich

, 11 March 2019

IM LIVIN (2019), a solo exhibition by James Bantone curated by Mohamed Almusibli and presented in conjunction with Space Space Gallery, was on show at Dynamo Project Room 13, Zurich between February 14 through 27, 2019.

With an installation of video, prints and green-screen painted walls, IM LIVIN examines representations of queer men of colour as they pertain to the artist’s home of Switzerland. Prominently featured is the video series Wha Ha Happened Was… (2018), in which the artist filmed young queer subjects reenacting scenes from a reality TV series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. With the sound of the reenactments muted, the viewer becomes attuned exclusively to bodily gesture and gender performativity. Drawing from his knowledge of production artifice gleaned from a background as a photographer, Bantone’s exhibition uses popular media to bring attention to gender, sexuality and racial representation’s roles in constructing our senses of self.**

James Bantone’s IM LIVING , a solo exhibition by James Bantone, curated by Mohamed Almusibli, was on view at Dynamo Project Room 13, Zurich between February 14 through 27, 2019.