20 Oct Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Krissy Talking Pictures

BY ANDRE CHERRY

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a  local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and  impactful work.  

Queer artists seeking a safe space to share their work can turn to Krissy Talking Pictures (KTP) as an outlet for expression. KTP is a Philadelphia film and video art organization that sets out to empower queer artists by creating spaces and opportunities for queer artists who have little or no access to mainstream art institutions. Through screenings, exhibitions, and their monthly newsletter, KTP serves as a vehicle and a platform for getting local artists’ work out into the world.

For instance, in 2020, KTP received the Leeway Foundation’s Art and Change Grant (ACG). The ACG provides grants to fund art for social change projects by women, trans, and/or gender nonconforming artists and cultural producers living in Greater Philadelphia. KTP used the funds to create a virtual gallery in which five artists were given the opportunity to make the space their own for a month. KTP promoted their work throughout the duration of their exhibition. 

cinéSPEAK asked Cherry Nin, Founder of Krissy Talking Pictures, about the organization’s  unique origin story, its vision for Philadelphia, and the different ways people can get involved.  

cinéSPEAK: As the only queer experimental video art organization in Philadelphia, KTP is  operating in such a unique space. What is KTP’s origin story?  

KTP: Krissy Talking Pictures was an idea I had in 2019. I wanted to be an artist, to get my work  out into the world, but I didn’t have access to art institutions. The underground spaces were all  primarily centered around music. But what if video art was more prominent in these spaces?  What if a video art label could act as a platform for queer artists without access to mainstream  art institutions? What if, from an underground space, artists could organize together and  receive grants, get their peers paid for creative work, lecture at universities?  

Originally conceived of as a video label, KTP has since served as a film and video art organization, pushed forward and kept alive by a rotating cast of organizers. 

cinéSPEAK: Krissy Talking Pictures is an interesting name. Can you share its meaning for your organization? 

KTP: It’s a riff on Yvonne Rainer’s film, Kristina Talking Pictures. In a general sense, the name recalls a lineage of experimental/outsider film and video art. 

cinéSPEAK: Are there any upcoming projects you are working on?  

KTP: Currently, we have an exhibition called ”Residue” up at Vox Populi through October 16th.  The exhibition, hosted in Vox Populi’s Black Box space, brings together new experimental video work by nine interdisciplinary artists from KTP’s network. Queer ecologies, spacial politics, friendship, surveillance, and post capitalism/consumerism are investigated, played with, glitched, and moved through via the moving image, utilizing projection, installation,  sculpture, performance, and sound as supporting tools. Together, the work conjures an image of residue.  

Residue: “a small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone or been taken  or used.” Residue is a substance that is sticky, left-over, and at times invisible; but also one that  can hold things together, exist in the in-between.  

In conjunction with the exhibition KTP is hosting a two night performance series in Vox Populi’s Black Box space, on October 6th and 7th. More details about these events will be shared on  KTP’s Instagram page. 

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?  

KTP: We hope that by creating spaces and opportunities, we will in turn inspire artists to create  and share work.

cinéSPEAK: Where can folks read more about the events happening at KTP? 

KTP: We have a monthly print only newsletter called “Krissy: New & Now.” The newsletter  features newly released videos, artist highlights, shows, parties, classifieds, drawings, writings, and more. The October issue will be available at our show at Vox Populi.

cinéSPEAK: How can people get involved with KTP?  

KTP: There are many ways to be involved with KTP. If interested, you can email us or fill out  this form.  

Interested parties can help KTP in several different ways, including: organizing/curating events,  hosting KTP at your space for an event or exhibition, having your work included in screenings/exhibitions, fundraising, social media, making a tutorial or running a workshop, and making clothes or other merchandise.  

Upcoming Events at KTP:  

Through October 16, 2022 – “Residue” exhibition at Vox Populi – 319 North 11th Street (3rd  Floor), Philadelphia, PA 19107 

Check out KTP’s website and follow them on Instagram for more updates!  

*Featured Image: Image of “untitled” by Florence Fire, installed in KTP’s exhibition ‘Residue,’ on view now at Vox Populi. Image credit: Cherry Nin.

Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the  Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over  the publishing of any information provided via the form.Questions: journal@cinespeak.org.

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Andre Cherry’s love of storytelling compels him to create art. He is a cineSPEAK Fellow, background actor, and writer. His screenplays have placed within the Austin Film Festival and Stowe Story Labs. Andre, who originally hails from the Chicagoland area, quickly grew to love Philadelphia after moving to the area in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Illinois State University. Andre is also an avid sports fan and hosts a college football podcast (The CherryPickin Podcast).