Gravity Pleasure
Mix & events series

“Human life depends on healthy, functioning ecosystems. Needless to say, the struggles for Black, queer, feminist or any form of liberation will be meaningless if we no longer have a habitable planet.” – Zsea Bowmani, 2021

Gravity Pleasure is an event series and forthcoming publication that explores queer ecofeminism through experimental art, sound, and workshops. It is initiated by Madelyn Byrd and Lou Croff Blake, musicians and DJ’s who collaborate through their multidisciplinary arts practice, activism, and event organization. This project generates richly dimensional experiences by weaving together knowledge sharing, collaborative speculation, performance and, yes, pleasure. Gravity Pleasure rejects the consumption mindset that is all too prevalent in city nightlife, and instead seeks to dissolve the boundaries between education, entertainment, and play. We propose emergent participation models within a durational and interactive context to strengthen ties between our local community and environment.

Gravity Pleasure’s signature aesthetic touch: the performances live score satellite imagery of Earth’s surface. By distorting our perception of scale, speed, and mass, we remind ourselves that we are human bodies belonging to a planetary body, and our home in Berlin is part of a shared, pluriversal whole. There is power in gathering under the glow of a beamer to gaze upon the sublime beauty of our shared home.

While events are ephemeral, we believe that Gravity Pleasure holds valuable lessons that can transfer beyond our time spent together. In alignment with the 4-Pillar Model for sustainable development, we believe that environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability must be simultaneously integrated to create lasting positive change. This model evolves into intersectional environmentalism when applied with pluriversal, feminist positioning. The Gravity Pleasure curriculum invites contributors who offer diverse cultural views on environmentalism and justice, reflecting the rich diasporic pluriverse of Berlin and fostering xenophilia.  

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