Cataloguing Queerness

by Sagal Hassan

"Cataloging Queerness" is an art book, divided into two halves, that explores the tension between cataloging systems and the fluidity of queer identities.

The first half presents a poetic narrative questioning the role of cataloging systems in classifying identities. The narrative explores what is lost when diverse identities are constrained, highlighting the struggle between orderly management and queer fluidity.

The second half transitions into original digital collages, accompanied by an audio component of related sounds, visualizing the diverse and multifaceted experiences of queerness. The images and sounds were collected from a survey asking respondents to share the sensory experiences they felt related to their queerness.

This piece asserts that while cataloging systems are essential for organizing information, they should not dictate the legitimacy of queer identities. We, both collectively and individually, decide how we are perceived, creating spaces for ourselves beyond the confines of established systems.