AntiBodies: Drag + Gender Performance at Black Mountain College is an interdisciplinary research project that seeks to address ideas about the expression of identity (artistic, Queer) through the use of costume and drag. Play and camp are vital parts of this exploration and at Black Mountain no one was unafraid to play or experiment with camp, evidenced by Robert Rauschenberg’s unicorn costume for his cousin, Merce Cunningham playing the role of a monkey, to David Tudor’s concert playbill printed on cigarette rolling papers.

This work was originally scheduled for presentation at the Black Mountain College (Re)Viewing Conference in October 2024, cancelled due to Hurricane Helene.

Image: Self Portrait in Costume for Black Mountain College Valentine's Day Ball, Feb 1940, 2020