The Politics of Exploring Joy

During her residency at workspacebrussels and over the following two years of her research, Marialena will explore the politics of joy from a queer feminist perspective. In her study of decolonial discourses on Black joy, she will also address personal experiences of violence and abuse, and the personally and politically transformative impact of experiencing joy as a queer woman. Marialena sees joy as a methodology for deepening the practices of writing, music/sound, and vocalising, which have been central to her artistic practice for the past ten years.

Her research is also driven by a desire to meet and interview queer feminist organisers in Brussels and beyond, who work with great determination to create spaces where joy can be experienced. For vulnerable, large, racialised, and otherwise queered bodies, the existence of such safe and nurturing “homes” is existential. Marialena’s research aims to learn from and celebrate the work and political commitment of the organisers who make these homes possible.