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<h3>Project Description: Fluid Intersecting</h3>Inspired by my lived experiences as a non-binary mixed Afro-Indigenous artist, and drawing from "Stop Telling Women to Smile" by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, "Fluid Intersecting" is a photographic study of gender that explores and expands upon the concept of binaries. This visual witnessing captures portraits that confront societal expectations, revealing the complexity of identity, and challenges viewers to engage with the fluidity of gender expression.Binaries can both confine and liberate us, shaping our experiences of being in a body. Through this project, we examine how our intersections whether of gender, race, or other identities shape how we are perceived in the world. Incorporating natural elements (air, water, earth, fire, ether), the project reflects on the shared essence of humanity: genetically, any two humans are 99.9% identical, yet we live vastly different lives based on our proximity to power and privilege.Each participant’s experience will be represented by two contrasting pieces: one capturing a moment when their body was the target of objectification or misrepresentation, and the other when they’ve found liberation, joy, or pleasure in expressing their gender. These images will be visually merged, possibly through techniques like double exposure. There will also be an opportunity to share words or experiences—such as microaggressions, misgendering, or overt aggressions—that may be incorporated into the imagery, adding another layer to the final pieces.In recognition of the objectification and violence we all face under colonialism and its by-products, "Fluid Intersecting" uses a visual language that juxtaposes the weight of gender-based violence with the healing power of embodiment. It weaves a narrative where our bodies and spirits become portals for liberation—a reclamation of body and gender as places of safety and power.Through dark, moody tones and vibrant hues, the project dismantles rigid structures of identity, while examining how binaries, whether embraced or rejected, shape our lives and perceptions. This tension mirrors the internal and external conflicts of navigating a world structured by power dynamics and marginalization.Given the sensitive nature of this project, there is a strong emphasis on self and community care. We will collaboratively create guidelines to honor boundaries, consent, and respect, ensuring that participants feel supported throughout the process.This witnessing elevates the stories of those who exist at the intersections of marginalization, centering gender-diverse, trans, queer, and BIPOC identities. Limited spots will be available for cisgender participants. Through this collaborative effort, "Fluid Intersecting" opens essential dialogues about what it means to live, resist, and thrive outside of limiting norms.How I see myself growing as an artist is by creating work that not only expresses my emotions but also invites dialogue and offers healing. My practice is a holistic one, centered on becoming, releasing, and renewing. This cyclic nature allows me to remain malleable, serving as a conduit for creation. I am not only evolving technically in my skill set and offerings but also finding new ways to connect with others through art. I aim to continually expand as a visual storyteller and creative director while embracing the fact that I will eternally be a student of my craft.<h3>Ways in which Playbook can support me in my goals:</h3><h3>1. Financial Support for Resources</h3><ul><li>Equipment: With the grant, I would be able to invest in new equipment, such as lenses or lighting for my photography, which would allow me to expand my technical capabilities and further refine my artistic expression.</li><li>Studio Time: This support would help cover studio time or locations needed to create the immersive environments I envision for my photography projects, particularly for 'Fluid Intersecting'.</li><li>Software/Equipment: It would enable me to access software or tools to expand my storytelling capabilities, for digital editing, visual effects, or creating multi-media art.</li></ul><h3>2. Compensating Collaborators</h3><ul><li>This grant would allow me to fairly compensate the collaborators who contribute to my projects, including models, set designers, and other creative partners. I strongly believe in supporting the people who help bring my vision to life, especially gender-diverse and BIPOC artists whose work is often undervalued.</li></ul><h3>3. Mentorship and Networking</h3><ul><li>Mentorship: Being connected with mentors or industry professionals would help me grow as both a visual storyteller and creative director. Their feedback would be invaluable in refining my process and expanding the impact of my work.</li><li>Workshops/Training: Workshops or training opportunities focused on new techniques or media would further enhance my skill set, allowing me to incorporate more complex storytelling elements into my work.</li><li>Networking: Support in connecting me with fellow artists, curators, or industry professionals would allow me to grow my creative network, collaborate on projects, and increase the visibility of my work.</li></ul><h3>4. Opportunities for Exhibitions and Public Showcasing</h3><ul><li>Exhibition Support: Opportunities to exhibit my work in galleries or public spaces would provide a platform for my work to engage with a wider audience, opening dialogues around gender, identity, and decolonization.</li><li>Promotion: Assistance in promoting my work through interviews, features, or social media would help me reach a broader audience and invite more people into the conversation around my themes of gender and identity.</li></ul><h3>5. Ongoing Feedback and Collaboration</h3><ul><li>Collaboration Spaces: Opportunities to collaborate with other artists or institutions would allow for cross-disciplinary work and growth, enriching both my practice and the communities I seek to engage.</li><li>Feedback Loops: Having access to a space for consistent feedback—whether through critique groups, one-on-one mentorship, or art residencies—would help me grow as an artist by refining my message and technical execution.</li></ul>

Fluid Intersecting

Step 1: Your past work

[Edit me!] Where is your journey headed? Playbook templates are perfect for mapping out your vision. Use them to create moodboards, projects timelines, mocks, and detailed plans of what your project will look like and how you'll utilize the Imagination Fund to get there.

Step 2: Your project proposal

Energy Board

I'm Savanna (Unlocking Binary), a multidisciplinary, nonbinary, mixed afro indigenous, queer, neurodivergent artist currently devoted to photography and DJing. As an activist, my art reflects social justice, decolonization, and liberation. I’m passionate about learning, tapping into playfulness, and fostering deeper connections whether through spiritual practices, community, or nature.I’ve been artistically inclined my entire life, and I've always loved exploring materials as a mode of self-expression, healing, and understanding the world around me. My work has been described by others as expressionist, noir, vibrant, emotional, and personal. I used to approach art as something that was channeled, almost created by accident! In recent years, I’ve reflected on and matured my artistic practice to create work that not only expresses my emotions but also invites dialogue and offers healing impact.

Savanna White (Unlocking Binary) - Imagination Fund Proposal (Copy)

Savanna White (Unlocking Binary) - Imagination Fund Proposal (Copy)

Savanna White (Unlocking Binary) - Imagination Fund Proposal (Copy)