Winter 2021 Bergen Kunsthall (NOR)’s gallery V was transformed into a space for a durational live project by the dancer and choreographer Nikima Jagudajev (USA/AUS). The space was open for audiences while Jagudajev developed, together with collaborators, a new work titled ‘↗︎ Basically’. The exhibition and live performance was a core element and a framework for the live programme ‘↗︎ Speculative Histories’, this is part 5. The text The Backstreet Boys (2020–2021) is written by Nikima, edited by Olivia Fearweather. Commissioned by Karmaklubb* and Bergen Kunsthall. Published by Karmaklubb* / IGWTLI publishing (WHEREVER) and Bergen Kunsthall.

↗︎ Download and read the first edition of the text here.

The Backstreet Boys was first done as a performative reading for Karmaklubb* in the occasion of Oslo Internasjonale Teaterfestival (NOR) 2021 and can be heard ↗︎ here.

During the next years a series of essays, interviews, and other written encounters on hybrid spaces — from art institutions to club spheres — crossing communities, and gender in flux will be published as an extension of the Karmaklubb* ‘Talks & screenings (on various forms of queerness)’ programme launched fall 2018, aiming to create a platform for an open feminist, queer discourse. These texts will later be assembled in an anthology published by Karmaklubb* and IGWTLI publishing, in chapters digitally and as essays over a few years, hopefully as an anthology 2025–2027. The Book of Karma*.