Queer Bytes Back

Dare to rethink the guidelines that are laid in front of us.

The internet is a place where everyone can upload content, but that doesn’t mean it’s a welcoming place for everyone. queer people are more likely to be silenced online, for example through shadowbans and unreasonable flagging.

With my work I wanted to take an online problem out of the screens and make something physical. Our digital life is intertwining more and more with our ‘offline’ life. Casual queerphobia online is becoming more common, normalizing harmful language which will mix into our real-life vocabulary. This can even lead to physical violence. I hope people will reflect on their position on the internet and how each can be part of a safer online space. The installation does not only focus on the negative side of what is happening online, but also on the reaction to it.

The tapestry is done with crochet. Crochet is one of the only things that can’t be done by a machine. The tapestry consists of ±100.000 stitches.