
KOOMAH | IN RESIDENCE: MARCH - APRIL 2021
ARTcade
ARTcade by Koomah, in collaboration with the artist collective The Locas, premiered March 2021. ARTcade explored the art of video game arcade cabinets, re-imagines arcades as immersive art experience, and re-examines nostalgic children’s commerce of purchasing small toys as purchases of small art pieces.
Instead of video games, these arcade cabinets house short films made by local video artists. Each arcade cabinet prominently featured video game style artwork on the sides related to the video works that they contain. Additionally, various vending and skill machines allow audience participation through the purchase of art; such as a sticker/tattoo vending machine repurposed to vend small prints and poetry as well as a capsule toy vending machine dispensing small clay art pieces. Audiences also tried their luck on a skill crane claw catcher machine filled with small art pieces and treated to special live performances. See some photos!
ABOUT THE ARTIST TEAM:
Koomah is an intersex & genderfluid multidisciplinary artist, performer, and filmmaker currently residing in Houston, Texas. Koomah has facilitated several interactive public art projects including: “Chalked” around the outside of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, “Intersex Welcome Mat” at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, and the immersive multi-sensory interactive art experience “No Such Thing As A Free House” inside a home in South Park. Koomah has performed, showcased artwork, presented workshops & lectures, and screened films across the US & internationally.
The Locas include local artists Stephanie Saint Sanchez, Melelani Petersen, Jennifer Marie, Akili Sosa, Sondee Gonzales, & Stalina Villarreal.