On Thursday, Nov 6 we’re screening Playing with Fire: An Ecosexual Emergency (in person only) at 7 pm EST, followed by a virtual artist talk + Q&A at 8:30 pm EST with the filmmakers Beth Stephens & Annie Sprinkle (hosted by The 109 Gallery + WEAD). In-person guests will stay in the gallery and join the Zoom projection so everyone can be in the same conversation.

Share along. It’s a strong fit for those interested in performance art, ecology, queer community topics, and broad community audiences curious about a playful approach to ecological and socio-political activism.

Event at a glance

• Thurs, Nov 6

• 7:00 pm EST – Film screening at The 109 Gallery (in person only)

• 8:30 pm EST – WEAD-hosted Zoom artist talk + Q&A (in person + virtual)

• RSVP (in person or virtual): Link to RSVP     Zoom Link

• Arrive a little early 20-10 mins before 7pm to get settled in. The 109 will provide light refreshments you are welcome to bring your favorite snacks or beverages. Setting is a warm communal vibe, with a variety of seating options including soft chairs, stools, wooden chairs, floor sitting with blankets and cushions. This is an 18+ event
  
  Presented in collaboration with The 109 Gallery & Women Eco Artists Dialog (WEAD) www.weadartists.org
  
  This event is part of our current exhibition Bodies and Borders: Ecologies of Consent featured online as well as select works being shown at The 109 Gallery.
  
  Check out our gallery online here and read more about the exhibition on our exhibitions page.

WEAD and Gallery 109 are delighted to welcome

Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle 

Originators of the 'Ecosex' Movement

"Ecosexuality is a conceptual art innovation that we have developed since 2008. It shifts the metaphor from "Earth as Mother" to "Earth as Lover" to inspire a more reciprocal relationship between humans and the non-human realms. By incorporating this concept into our films, we engage our viewers' imaginations, add humor, and celebrate the Earth’s delights to draw meaningful attention to urgent environmental justice issues."

-Beth Stephens & Annie Sprinkle

About The Film

Beth Stephens & Annie Sprinkle directed this joyous ecosexual documentary born from the ashes of California’s devastating fires. When lightning ignites the redwood forest surrounding their home in Boulder Creek, longtime lovers Beth Stephens and Annie Sprinkle are forced to evacuate —and their lives are forever transformed.

Blending loss and grief with art, humor, and community care, the film unfolds through an ecosexual lens (imagining the Earth as a lover) while weaving stories from formerly incarcerated firefighters, an Indigenous scholar, fire artists, neighbors, a witchtherapist, a fire-play massage fetishist, and a fire tassel twirling burlesque queen.

Playing with Fire explores how climate catastrophe intersects with social justice, and is a powerful portrait of resilience in the face of a world in flames. It becomes a love letter to resilience, queerness, and the Earth as the couple navigates trauma, social fires, and climate crisis. Can we learn to live with fire instead of fighting it? This mythopoetic doc film dares to imagine a future aflame with love.
https://sprinklestephens.ucsc.edu/playing-with-fire-2/

Poetry Reading + Films + Dialog: Featuring Petra Kuppers

Thursday, October 30 · 7 PM EST
Hosted by Women Eco Artists Dialog (WEAD) + The 109 Gallery
Hybrid Event · Virtual + In-Person

Join us for an evening of poetry, film, and conversation with artist and disability culture activist Petra Kuppers (@petra.kuppers). Presented by WEAD and The 109 Gallery, this hybrid gathering bridges art, ecology, and embodiment, part of the exhibition Bodies & Borders: Ecologies of Consent.

Learn more about Petra: https://www.petrakuppers.com/home

Event Flow
In-Person Guests – gather at The 109 Gallery in Historic Downtown Chickamauga, GA for an evening of shared viewing of Petra's reading via zoom and to view her film projected in the gallery, poetry, and dialog. Light refreshments will be provided, come as you are, and feel free to bring a favorite snack (and a friend or two).
Virtual Attendees – join us via Zoom for Petra’s live talk, poetry readings, and open community discussion moderated from the gallery.

RSVP & Details
Eventbrite link → https://www.eventbrite.com/.../poetry-reading-films...

Walk-ins welcome

Explore the Exhibition Catalog – view Bodies & Borders: Ecologies of Consent online: artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/exhibition/14593182/catalog