Alex Underhill, disconnect 2021, Digital Art, 3362 x 1598

 

Alex Underhill, dislocate 2021, Moving Image, 4032 x 1908

 

Alex Underhill, detach 2021, Digital art, 4032 x 1908

 

My work and practice is primarily based on queerness and failure. The definition of ‘success’ is framed by a heteronormative, capitalist society and that for queer people, failure sometimes has more to offer us than being successful ever would.

This series project was created by distorting the photographs to create surreal, alien-like images and moving images around the destruction of a historical cruising spot in Brighton, alienating a significant number of Brighton’s queer community. I wanted my images to reflect this while incorporating digital aspects as the gentrification of these areas causing many to escape into social media and apps, especially in lockdown. Although there is hardly any written history about the homosexual activities of this area, it is often theorised that Duke’s mound has been a cruising ground and meeting area for gay men since the Regency era but has remained an open secret for hundreds of years. The redevelopment and gentrification of this area is taking place without any consideration for its history by the council.