Performative intervention as part of ‘Gathering for Rehearsing Hospitalities’, 9–14 September Helsinki. Commissioned by Frame Contemporary Art Finland. Curators: Jussi Koitela and Yvonne Billimore.

What happens when strangers take on the role of host? K2K2K2...Commuter Salon & Speakeasy was a performative intervention that occured in the interim spaces of Frame's Autumn gathering. Having only met briefly once before, Irina and I agreed to collaborate as city guides in a place we were both unfamilar with. As an experiment in conviviality, we offered palm readings, (rapid) manicures and hand massages to Frame's guests and patrons on the commute between the various venues of the programme. We produced a small-run riso-printed ’zine to share our sources and prompt others to offer their skills and techniques. By engaging in physical contact and encouraging intimacy, we attempted to make temporary spaces on trains and boats for conversation, co-learning and personal disclosure. Such liminal encounters and ‘queer modes of care‘ presented a counterpoint to and critique of the kinds of intellectual posturing and point-scoring we had become accustomed to in arts symposiums.

Rehearsing Hospitalities Companion 1, 2019. Yvonne Billimore and Jussi Koitela (eds), Archive Books can be downloaded from Frame.