“Listen!” is a collaborative portrait project by composer and photographer Ramin Roshandel, created to give visibility, presence, and voice to transgender individuals in Iowa. Ramin invited a group of transgender Iowans to pose for portraits made with the wet plate collodion process, a technique dating back to the 19th century. Each portrait is a one-of-a-kind physical photograph on a thin sheet of aluminum, commonly known as a "tintype."
The portraits are a firm and quiet act of resistance. The exhibit is a direct response to the bill Governor Kim Reynolds signed to remove gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act beginning July 1. It was previously shown at FreeForm Art Gallery in Fairfield, Iowa. The showing at ArtiFactory is just its second.
Beyond the striking visuals, “Listen!” features a soundscape composed of audio recordings contributed by the participants. They tell their stories, recite poems, and engage in conversation, asserting their humanity in the face of the state’s attempted erasure.
Free admission Wednesday and Friday 4-6, Saturday 1-3, or by appointment (artifactory.artsiowacity.org).
Upcoming Occurrences of “Listen!”, tintype portraits and spoken words by Iowa transgender individuals continues at the ArtiFactory Gallery through September