The Lens

As my capstone, I researched the intersection of queer spaces and film design and later designed an exhibition that speaks to that research, showcasing the history of symbolism that we often see being used to signal queer identities. This project is located on 1315 Spruce St. and lives in the heart of the gayborhood. 

To create a space that uplifts queer voices of joy and resistance. This is done using queer history, film, and art as a form of storytelling and providing spaces for dialogue. With bars being a typical social space in the past, I flip this narrative of hiding in the nighttime to provide and assert this community's existence in the daylight.

I researched historically queer spaces to understand how they impact the community and communicate who the space is for.

Films were a primary source, as film is a medium in which the identities of people are often communicated through their surroundings rather than what they say.

Remaining local, I identified Williams Way as my site as it already holds a great power in its location (Gayborhood) and its legacy.