Dr Richard Maguire explores filmmaker Derek Jarman’s love of Hampstead Heath and the importance of the cruising grounds as social sites, beyond simply a place for sexual encounter, in an evening of short films, guest speakers and poetry performance.
When Jarman went up to the Heath, he and his fellow cruisers would often build and tend to bonfires, especially in the cold weather. Men who would never meet up with each other outside the Heath came to the fire for sex, but also for community. As gay communities become increasingly homonormative, this event suggests that the need for cruising is more vital than ever. A bonfire in the back garden at LUX will recreate this scene with poetry about cruising in the technological age from Keith Jarrett and stories about contemporary cruising with performer Len Lukowski.
The short film programme includes works by Derek Jarman, Toby Kalitowski, Marit Östberg, Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay, David Wojnarowicz & Jesse Hultberg.
In the context of CRUISING GROUND & in collaboration with Cruising the Seventies: Unearthing Pre-HIV/AIDS Queer Sexual Cultures (CRUSEV).