Brief Atlas of the Mouth
This atlas is an investigation of two trans bodies around the mouth as a place of intersection between word, voice, and identity, public and private, eroticism and politics. The project sets off in search of new gender narratives through a collection of words and expressions based on the different symbolic suggestions of the mouth.
This publication is the result of the exchange between the researches and practices of three artists (João Emediato, Gaya Madeiros, and Ary Zara), as well as the homonymous performance. Atlas of the Mouth premiered in November 2021 at the Dona Maria II National Theater (Lisbon) as part of the Alkantara Festival, and it was featured in the Best of the Year 2021 list by Jornal Expresso.
Gaya de Medeiros is a travesti, dancer, stage director and drag queen. Born in Brazil and currently based in Lisbon, she founded BRABA.plataforma to promote initiatives carried out by trans people. Her research is situated in between dance, words, and affections.
Ary Zara is self-defined as sacred geometry materialized in a non-binary trans body. With a degree in cinema from ULHT in Portugal, he was granted a screenwriting scholarship in the USA. He is currently finishing a queer short film, financed by ICA. Director of Queer Art Lab and activist for trans rights through T Guys Cuddle Too.
Self-published edition, printed in risograph in black and neon pink.
24 pages, format: 14 x 18cm.
Directed by Gaya de Medeiros
Co-creation and interpretation: Ary Zara & Gaya de Medeiros
Provocation, conception, and design of the publication: João Emediato
Videos: Ary Zara
Scenography and Lighting: João Pedro Fonseca
Sound operator: Inny Legs
Costumes: Naara Saturnino
Production: Gaya de Medeiros
Co-production: Alkantara Festival & Companhia Olga Roriz
Creative support: Self-Mistake
Finland / Portugal, 2021.