mixed feelings | Saverio & JJJJJerome Ellis

TRANSCRIPT AVAILABLE HERE.

mixed feelings is a radio show exploring accessibility in the arts from the experience and practices of disabled artists worldwide. In this episode, saverio meets artist and musician JJJJJerome Ellis, self-defining “a disabled animal, artist, and person who stutters.” JJJJJerome celebrate disabled speech and shares insights on the creative process behind his last album and book, “The Clearing,” the upcoming book “Aster of Ceremonies,” and the yet-to-release “Compline in Nine Movements.”

With a commitment to practices that explore sounds in all forms, mixed feelings show is co-curated by Saverio Cantoni, and Dana Cermane, in spoken language (mainly English) and signing language (mainly International Sign Language). Screenreader-accessible transcripts accompany each episode. Accessibility is an empowering creative territory. How would the radio be if it were accessible to Deaf folks? Are we willing to give space to the Deaf community in the conventionally hearing-only territory? mixed feelings merge conversation and sound art, music, and experimental practices transforming our present. This fluid format evolves over time because accessibility is still a very speculative practice, and the folks involved in this project will shape it merging individual experiences and communal thinking.

The illustration are by Cooper Lovano.

JJJJJerome Ellis’ portrait is by Annie Forrest.

mixed feelings is part of the initiative DRAUSSENSTADT, funded by the Berliner Projektfonds Urbane Praxis and the Senatsverwaltung für Kultur und Gesellschaflichen Zusammenhalt. A special thanks to Frances Breden; and Refuge Worldwide fam Gaby, George, Graeme, Leona, Oscar, and Richard.