“Just don’t be a Dickhead” Boston Policeman explaining the rules of The Irish Day Parade in Southie

"

BPirishparade2012-2437BPirishparade2012-2481BPirishparade2012-934

The Biennial Project had always heard about the cheerful confluence of outright racism, homophobia and xenophobia that takes place at Boston’s Annual drunken Irish soiree known as ‘The Southie St. Patrick’s Day Parade’. Needless to say we stayed away for many a moon. This year, upon hearing about an alternative, inclusive march called The Peace Parade The Biennial Project decided it was our duty as citizens of the great City of Boston to show up. The only way to change  opinion on race and gender is through exposure.


“We’re here we’re queer, we’re fabulous don’t fuck with us!”


 BPirishparade2012-2390BPirishparade2012-456
BPirishparade2012-353BPirishparade2012-2430BPirishparade2012-2417

Well, from what we witnessed, we were totally wrong about the attitude of the main event. Though the crowd was predominately white and Irish (it is their day) there were many ethnicities guzzling Vodka out of water bottles along side the pale skinned ginger haired crowd doing the same. Even with the shame of the gays still not being allowed to march, we saw a little bit of everything mixed in with the Bag Pipers, step dancers and drunken union workers. There were ghost busters, Storm Troopers, Renaissance people, Rat Pack impersonators, Latin Salsa dancers, skipping bananas, Hip Hop Clubs and a flat bed truck of what we think might have been Russian Strippers. It resembled the array of characters that show up for Biennial Project events. At times it felt like the color altered acid days of our teen years. We went to make a statement but in reality whole day was big green, foolish fun.

BPirishparade2012-2391BPirishparade2012-2434

BPirishparade2012-2497BPirishparade2012-2500

Anna dancing with the young, good looking Irish Lads.


For our global fans who might not know anything about our town’s history, here is a little lesson. In the 19th century Irish immigrants started to come to Boston in droves.

 boston imigrants3irish immigrantsirish imigrants2

The Biennial Project is not sure of the exact figures. We are far too lazy to look them up, but trust us; lots and lot of Irish came. So many that Boston still takes on the personality and flavor of the old country. With communities as tight as the Irish were in Boston intolerance formed. In the Early 1970s there were outright riots when the city started to bus school children from one neighborhood to another to harbor diversity and equality of education. For over 20 years Gay groups have had their applications rejected by Allied War Veterans Council who host the parade. In 1995 the rejection was taken all the way to the US Supreme court in the case Hurley vs. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Group of Boston, which ruled parade organizers do have a legal right to decide who marches in the parade.

. schoolriotsirish gay

We never attended the Parade because of the outright prejudice and also, lets face it, a big drunken Irish posse can seem scary.

sisters from fighter

BPirishparade2012-2432BPirishparade2012-2533 BPirishparade2012-2522
Last year an organization called Veteran’s for Peace started their own parade, after the big parade, to let the rejected groups march. Yes, it is sort like crumbs from the table, but it gives visibility to the fact that the host organization still has fear in their hearts. The Biennial Project tries to conjure up some compassion for these old men who are living a lifetime of shame for that blowjob they gave as a teenager - but really. Is it too hard to
admit you enjoyed it? Anyhow, The Biennial Project went to support The Veteran’s for Peace and stand up for our own rights. Kara Suffredini, executive director of MassEquality, said it well -

“I think this is the work we do every day of changing hearts and minds. There will be a day when we will be welcomed in this parade.”

irishparade-2460irishparade-2458 BPirishparade2012-2470
So enough with the politics, we went to stand up for our rights but we were really surprised by the inclusive, positive, fun and slightly weird energy of the big green party. What does all this have to do with art? As usual we don't know or care - we had a friggin time. Witness through our (Fine Art) photos.

BPirishparade2012-2508BPirishparade2012-2492BPirishparade2012-2519

BPirishparade2012-2407BPirishparade2012-2495BPirishparade2012-2404

BPirishparade2012-2388BPirishparade2012-2395BPirishparade2012-2444

BPirishparade2012-2428BPirishparade2012-2449

BPirishparade2012-2392BPirishparade2012-2441

BPirishparade2012-2430BPirishparade2012-2483


"

ArtVenice Biennale 2013 Early Entry Sampler

"

Hey artists of the world, if you haven’t entered the 2013 ArtVenice Biennale yet – shame on you!

What are you waiting for?

Unlike most of the exhibition opportunities out there, this one is actually organized by ARTISTS – i.e. people who totally comprehend that you put your goddamned heart and soul into your work – and we will work our tails off to promote it as widely as possible.

In that spirit, here is a small sampling of some of the excellent work submitted so far……

(And if you haven’t submitted, get your act together- the deadline is May 1st!)

FestaR2_in style

Rob Festa, in style, dye infused aluminum print, MASSACHUSETTS


Elena Buftea, neutrino -particula fantasma, acrylic +collage on canvas, ROMANIA


LemayC3_PoliticalPageant

Charlie Lemay, American Political Pageant, Digital Photo Collage, NEW HAMPSHIRE


 ImbodenC1_colors_of_war_gernade_red

Clint Imboden, grenade #1 red, cast polyester resin, CALIFORNIA

 

SantinC1_immeasurable

Camila Santin, immeasurable, photograph, CHILE


thompsonv2_whereru 

Vanessa Thompson, where r you, photograph, MASSACHUSETTS


     valadezp1_LessonsInScorn.jpg

Paul Valadez, lessons in scorn, pencil and ink on paper – TEXAS


Bullock1_Evil Men Are Sexy

Peter Bullock Evil Men Are Sexy, collage (antique postage stamps) and acrylic – ILLINOIS


Orbot107_ShimPlateau

Erick Montgomery, Orbot107_ShimmeringPlateau, digital film still, RHODE ISLAND


ENTER THE 2013 ARTVENICE BIENNALE

"