Store
Todd Lanier Lester is an artist and works on the family farm in Tennessee. Over two decades he launched a series of three rights-focused, participatory works situated between visual media and performance methodology: Multiyear timeframes designated to investigate social themes, while colorful project names offer an umbrella under which artists and non-artists alike create rhizomatic responses unfettered by conceptual end dates. For 10 years freeDimensional (2003-12) urges a sea change in the artist residency sector by practicing artist shelter and evacuation placements, convening networks and coalitions of expert practice, and publishing lessons learned in immigration and cultural policy fora. For five years Lanchonete.org (2013-18) occupies a small bar on a denigrated yet swiftly gentrifying street in the center of São Paulo as nucleus for artist and urbanist residencies, community meals, open courses, concerts, murals, public health campaigns and a radio station. For two years Luv ’til it Hurts (2018-20) engages poz artists and allies from Egypt, Germany, France, Brazil, USA, Mauritius, Colombia, Poland, Taiwan and beyond to understand their local HIV-related stigmas and challenges, yielding an evolving group exhibition and activist soapbox that can be invited to other communities.
More recently Todd began writing on artist methodology, both reconsidering his own organic trajectory and researching those of others from whom he draws inspiration and affirmation. Besides writing, a new project is in the works. FARM/SCHOOL plays with time differently, suggesting its arrival–rather than completion–within 10 years.
Todd became a sticker artist–a.k.a. el mejor karate–whilst living in São Paulo. This ad hoc process continues to clarify the pseudonym or decoy-tendency in naming his previous artworks.
*PS, photo by Ajamu X.
The LUV game is a part of Luv 'til it Hurts. The idea is based on a game played around the world called Exquisite Corpse. It's a non-competitive game that can be played with only two people as well as a large group. The game is super easy. A new design or 'visual work' is made each time people play the game together. The LUV game simply offers an excuse to talk about HIV and stigma in a range of settings from museum to public space or even on the street. The game idea came up when I asked a young design team in Port Said (Egypt) to help me communicate the values and goals of Luv 'til it Hurts. The LUV game launched officially in Bogotá and Grenoble in late October; will have another run during São Paulo’s December 1st AIDS Walk, and will be available online the same day, World AIDS Day 2019.
A 23-year old designer, Saouf suggested the basic 'tile' form (within his interpretation of the Exquisite Corpse game) as a variable form that can be used individually--as a sticker on the back of a laptop in a busy Cairo cafe--in a recognizable way yet one that does not always 'scream' HIV. From the beginning, the making of the LUV game has been a multi-layered process of working with old friends*; incorporating new ideas from artists and others; as well as considering safety and wellness in relation to the yet urgent need for dialogue on HIV and stigma. Also by popularizing the overall design of the game and the individual tiles, we are enacting a branding strategy that 'gets ready' for the next phase of Luv 'til it Hurts ... and ultimately unearthing HIV-related stigmas! An old friend and senior designer, Adham Bakry developed the game idea. This is also important. Luv 'til it Hurts is asking people who may not encounter HIV in their daily lives to get involved. To become allies. While perhaps hard to see, it is one of the most rewarding parts of making LUV.
Watch Todd Lester's Queer City / Cidade Queer film.
Forthcoming.