Monsters, Vamperras, and Demonios felices!

Background

We engaged in extensive discussions during a residency in La Paz, Bolivia with other practitioners, mostly female and of Andean racialized backgrounds. We also underwent painful self-reflection about the colonial practices that persist within ourselves. As part of this exercise, many of us shared the insults we had received. One of these words was “Vamperra,” a conjunction of “vampira” (vampire) and “perra” (bitch).

This term emerged in a Hi5 group in the early 2000s and later on Facebook. The group was created by people from Lima who were fond of goth and darkwave culture. They used these platforms to upload photos. They mocked people of indigenous descent who had incorporated goth into their style. They called them ugly, ridiculous, stinky, and animalistic. We were not to be called “vampires”; instead, we were labeled “vamperros” and “vamperras.” Being called a dog or a female dog was not only slut-shaming but also related to ugliness.

As part of the residency in Bolivia, I created several letterings with the word “Vamperra.” This word evolved into an embroidered patch. It also transformed into a whole concept. Additionally, it became a ceramic piece for the exhibition “Gunnel & Anita” with Valeria Montti Colque.

In recent explorations, the alter egos/personas Vamperra and Anita serve as conduits for a public manifesto(s). They preserve and play with privacy and sensitive information.

Collective exercises

A playground to immerse in the monstrosities within ourselves and the monsters around us. I provide different tools through constantly transforming character-alter egos. These tools are triggers to explore fears, hatred, and infatuations. They help explore shameful family histories, shameful senses of pride, and the origins of shame. They also allow one to delve into awkwardness, ugliness, and grotesqueries. All this is done under performative actions and gestures. We will build the monsters within us and make them a character, an ephemeral installation, a sound. By the end of the workshop, we will either destroy or embrace these creations.

Structure

The workshop consists of pop-up sessions with breaks in between. It can be organized into three sets of 40-minute sessions with 15-minute breaks in between. I play sounds and music during breaks and while participants work independently, enhancing the creative atmosphere. Participants are also encouraged to play their own music.