Alum explores San Francisco LGBTQ history in new video work
On August 26 from 6:30–8:30 pm, Torreya Cummings (B.A., ‘99) will hold a performance and video shoot aboard Balclutha in San Francisco’s Maritime National Park for her new work “Barbary Coast Keelhaul.”
San Francisco’s “Barbary Coast” was an area notorious for saloons, brothels, and general lawlessness. In 1863, San Francisco passed a law criminalizing persons wearing “a dress not belonging to his or her sex” in public. In their current research, Torreya Cummings explores how these two aspects of San Francisco history may have been interconnected. Reminiscent of anti-drag, anti-LGBTQ legislation widespread today, this work questions a history of prejudice within a well-known progressive safe haven.
“Barbary Coast Keelhaul” will be screened at The Headlands Center for the Arts on Sunday, October 22 during their Fall Open House. Cummings is completing a 2021-2023 residence at The Headlands Center for the Arts.
Cummings is also in residency with Recology San Francisco from October, 2023 – January, 2024 and will have exhibition related to her residency on January 26–30.
