It’s all in a kiss
It’ll come as no surprise to hear there’s a lot of lip-locking expected at this year’s Fair Day. But what will make it slightly more interesting is a stall dedicated solely to that purpose.
This year International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) organisers and the Star Observer have teamed up to bring a Kiss-In to the fair. Your smooch — resplendent inside an ornate gold frame — will be photographed and considered for exhibitions in 2011.
Kiss-In organiser Nick Baldas said the message sent by the photographs would be clear to all.
“Everyone should be able to show affection to their loved ones in public. May that be holding hands, hugging or kissing,” he said.
“Our first Kiss-In was held in front of the Queen Victoria Building in December 2009. We then held a Valentine’s Day Kiss-In at Taylor Square in 2010. The Kiss-In has now turned into a KISS interactive installation.
“Kissing has no boundaries and doesn’t discriminate by age, race, colour or creed. By portraying this common human gesture the KISS exhibition will show that we are all basically the same. We should all love, not hate.”
Baldas said kissing was such a universal way of sending a message of love and acceptance, it was hardly surprising the idea had been embraced by the GLBTI community.
“We all love kissing. The KISS installations and Kiss-Ins we have been involved in have shown that an interactive kissing booth is loads of fun.
“My last installation was set up at the Rainbow Babies and Kids Christmas picnic where rainbow families got together to kiss for equality.
“The installation is always a laugh and participants come away with a beautiful memento.”
A selection of images will be used as part of the KISS exhibition at Pine Street Gallery during the festival from February 19-26, and others at the Customs House Library International Day Against Homophobia exhibition from May 2-16.
A selection will also be published on the Sydney Star Observer website at www.starobserver.com.au
The KISS exhibition is coordinated by IDAHO Sydney in partnership with the City of Sydney’s Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, Sydney Star Observer and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
