Colin Self

Examining themes of coming out, self-realization, disillusionment, self-doubt, death and god, (amongst other things) Colin Self creates video art that abstractly portrays (gay) life via simultaneously nightmarish and hilarious imagery, monologue, digital animation and music. Layered video and audio combine to offer an insight to what it might be like to BE someone's subconscious; while unraveling a narrative that might not make sense to anyone else, but makes perfect sense to you. Colin's work is decidedly current and modern/postmodern with his sampling and destruction of pop culture and comment on identity through warped technology and performance. His work occupies an essential space where queers embrace the avant garde and push against complacency and the ordinary (and pull for each other). In other words, it's pretty much awesome.

Check out "Shawna Garden" and "Ghost of Shawna: The Embellishment G[r]ay Matter", two videos that are prequels to his upcoming larger piece Avid Diva due out around May 14th.

Shawna Garden from Colin Self on Vimeo.

Ghost of Shawna: The Embellishment of G[r]ay Matter from Colin Self on Vimeo.

Colin Self is a trans-disciplinary, post-riot grrl diva exploring themes of gay identity and hierarchical power struggles through live performance, video, music, and everyday life. Colin's performances mimic and parody the modern conundrum as a utopic Dandy. Utilizing audience participation, he is inventing new forms of activism through communal body and voice, bringing social advocacy to the party.

Check out more of his work HERE! And don't miss his performance of Kelsey & The Dead Flock Girls May 8th at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.