About xander
Aries
With resilience initiation she emerges.
With resilience initiation-she-emerges.
Headfirst she breaks the soil bringing forth with her...life...
Bringing forth with her breath...
bringing forth with her, a cycle of renewal that strengthens weary hearts
-that reminds weary thoughts, that...she.is.a.warrior.
And she will come again & again & again- growing thick the shorn coat of a butting ram.
With resilience initiation, she emerges.
In February 2016 i took a class on how to read my natal chart. This class was lush with symbology, abstraction, connection & cosmic language. As i filled my notebook with symbols & adjectives, comparisons and hidden meanings it became clear that a visceral collection of the zodiac would better connect language with meaning. From the space of research, collaboration & inspiration, the ‘queer zodiac project’ was born.
The ‘queer zodiac project’ is a series compiled of 12 vignettes of collaborated conversations & photoshoots with 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists & activists. Each vignette is a symbolic story weaving together sewn tapestries of planets that have their exalted & detrimental voice within each zodiacal sign and an illustrated expression of the emotion & action of each symbol.
I created Mars in the Summer 2016, the photoshoot, illustration & Aries vignette were created in the Fall 2016
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aries.jpg3’x3’ multidimensional vignette that layer illustration, a sewn tapestry, archival prints of other sewn tapestries, a painted backdrop, research & exploration. The illustration of my Aries Muse is based on a photoshoot collaboration inspired by the adjectives strength & determination which embody my expression of Aries. Aries hangs in her ring of fire symbolizing Aries’ element & expansive skill in resilience. This illustration is in front of a 20”x20” sewn tapestry of Mars, the home planet of Aries. The planets on the side are archival prints of other sewn tapestries created for this project, they represent the Sun, which is in its exaltation, Pluto which is also in its exaltation, Venus which is in its detriment and Saturn which is in its fall. The background is a shimmery painted night sky with the embroidered constellation: Aries. created in the fall of 2016
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mars.jpg20”x20” sewn tapestry of Mars, the home planet of Aries. designed and created by me.
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regina-aries.jpgillustration based on a collaborative photoshoot with Regina, my Aries muse. This archival print layers the illustration done with Prisma Markers and a fine black point pen, with photoshopped layers on top to add to dimension.
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aries1.jpgillustration of Aries muse in progress. Illustration done with Prisma Markers & a black, fine point pen
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aries2.jpgPhoto of Regina during our Aries inspired photoshoot. This project was done collaboratively in which I asked each of my participants to choose an expression that personified a feeling. Regina practiced her ariel and stilting skills to express her Aries self through the lens of ‘strength & determination’.
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aries3.jpgPhoto of Regina during our Aries inspired photoshoot. This project was done collaboratively in which I asked each of my participants to choose an expression that personified a feeling. Regina practiced her ariel and stilting skills to express her Aries self through the lens of ‘strength & determination’.
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IMG 7477In February 2016 I started the 'queer zodiac project' in which i photographed a dynamic queer Baltimore artist or activist who embodied my interpretation of of their zodiacal sign. I turned these photos into a flip book stop motion 1 minute short film, layering together their talent, my illustration & editing. Here Velocity Charms embodies 'Aries" ; known for thriving through obstacles.
Taurus
Carried by the sensual textures of a Venerian caldera, she postures. bold. deep. ground. Steadfast & generative, exalted by the moon, she roots
In February 2016 i took a class on how to read my natal chart. This class was lush with symbology, abstraction, connection & cosmic language. As i filled my notebook with symbols & adjectives, comparisons and hidden meanings it became clear that a visceral collection of the zodiac would better connect language with meaning. From the space of research, collaboration & inspiration, the ‘queer zodiac project’ was born.
The ‘queer zodiac project’ is a series compiled of 12 vignettes of collaborated conversations & photoshoots with 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists & activists. Each vignette is a symbolic story weaving together sewn tapestries of planets that have their exalted & detrimental voice within each zodiacal sign and an illustrated expression of the emotion & action of each symbol.
The photoshoot & illustration were created in the Spring 2016, sewing Venus in the Summer 2016 & created the Taurus vignette in Fall 2016
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taurus.jpg3’x3’ multidimensional vignette that layer illustration, a sewn tapestry, archival prints of other sewn tapestries, a painted backdrop, research & exploration. The illustration of my Taurus Muse is based on a photoshoot collaboration inspired by the adjectives grounded & confident which embody my expression of Taurus. Taurus stands firm & dedicated. This illustration is in front of a 20”x20” sewn tapestry of Venus, the home planet of Taurus. The planets on the side are archival prints of other sewn tapestries created for this project, they represent the Moon, which is in its exaltation, Mars which is in its detriment and Uranus which is in its fall. The background is a shimmery painted night sky with the embroidered constellation: Taurus. created in the Spring of 2016
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Venus.jpg20”x20” sewn tapestry of Venus, the home planet of Taurus. designed and created by me.
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dulcey-taurus.jpgillustration based on a collaborative photoshoot with Dulcey, my Taurus muse. This archival print layers the illustration done with Prisma Markers and a fine black point pen, with photoshopped layers on top to add to dimension.
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IMG 7496In February 2016 I started the 'queer zodiac project' in which i photographed 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists or activists who embodied my interpretation of of their zodiacal sign. I turned these photos into a flip book stop motion 1 minute short film, layering together their talent, my illustration & editing. Here my Taurus muse grounds firmly with passion & strength. The music is used by permission by Baltimore artist Hyster Majesty created in the Spring of 2016
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dulcey taurus photoshoot2.jpgtaurus muse sharing a story during out Queer Zodiac Project photoshoot
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dulcey taurus photoshoot1.jpgtaurus muse sharing a story during out Queer Zodiac Project photoshoot
Gemini
Gemini . 27.11.16 . xander dumas
a paradox on pointe
with graceful strength he rises to his toes
poised & pirouette in mutable air.
pulled by passions that plié & pivot
his mutable mind shifts contemplation...
diaphanous fibers replaced by leather, then a slipper becomes a boot...
his mutable body shifts in presentation
In February 2016 i took a class on how to read my natal chart. This class was lush with symbology, abstraction, connection & cosmic language. As i filled my notebook with symbols & adjectives, comparisons and hidden meanings it became clear that a visceral collection of the zodiac would better connect language with meaning. From the space of research, collaboration & inspiration, the ‘queer zodiac project’ was born.
The ‘queer zodiac project’ is a series compiled of 12 vignettes of collaborated conversations & photoshoots with 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists & activists. Each vignette is a symbolic story weaving together sewn tapestries of planets that have their exalted & detrimental voice within each zodiacal sign and an illustrated expression of the emotion & action of each symbol.
The photoshoot, illustrations & creation of Mercury took place in the Summer of 2016, I created the Gemini vignette in the Fall 2106
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gemini.jpg3'x3' multidimensional vignette of my interpretation of zodiac sign Gemini. Within this vignette, I have created a sewn tapestry to represent Mercury, which is the home planet of Gemini. I have the illustrations of the ‘twins’ representing the duality of this air sign based on a photoshoot with Baltimore artist, Alex. I have also included a smaller archival print of sewn tapestry, Jupiter which is in its fall in Gemini.
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mercury- gemini.jpg20”x20” sewn tapestry of Mercury, the home planet of Gemini. designed and created by me.
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alex-gemini leather.jpgillustration based on a collaborative photoshoot with Alex, my Gemini muse. This archival print layers the illustration done with Prisma Markers and a fine black point pen, with photoshopped layers on top to add to dimension
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alex-gemini.jpgillustration based on a collaborative photoshoot with Alex, my Gemini muse. This archival print layers the illustration done with Prisma Markers and a fine black point pen, with photoshopped layers on top to add to dimension
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gemini2.jpgPhoto from our ‘Queer Zodiac Project photoshoot
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gemini3.jpgGemini muse, Alex, embodying air/soft/light in contrast to deep/hard/dark for our duality photoshoot.
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gemini4.jpgGemini muse, Alex, embodying air/soft/light in contrast to deep/hard/dark for our duality photoshoot.
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IMG 7297In February 2016 I started the 'queer zodiac project' in which i photographed 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists or activists who embodied my interpretation of of their zodiacal sign. I turned these photos into a flip book stop motion 1 minute short film, layering together their talent, my illustration & editing. Here my Gemini muse personifies duality through hard & strong, long & grace.
Cancer & Leo
Cancer, a cardinal water sign ebbs and flows with emotion. Like the Moon, the phases or moods shift frequently and rules the tides. My Cancer photoshoot took place in early June 2016 at the Jones Falls. My Cancer muse, elliot, an old soul with a nostalgic heart personifies the crab symbol.
Leo, fixed fire sign prides themselves on strength & self assurance.
cancer. xander dumas
lady lune pulls the tides swelling & overflowing the salty blue of the sea swelling & overflowing the salty blue of our tender hearts
Leo. 8.august.2016. xander dumas
The blazing strength of self being generated & magnified by the sun. Shoulders back, eyes agaze. Full of the fiery belly of lion's breath
The photoshoot, illustration & creation of the Moon took place in the Summer 2016, I created the Cancer vignette in the Fall 2016
The photoshoot, illustration & creation of the Sun took place in the Summer 2016, I created the Leo vignette in the Fall 2016
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cancer.jpgCancer flexes tender hearted pinchers in illustration in front of a 20”x20” sewn tapestry of the Moon, the home planet of Cancer. The planets on the side are archival prints of other sewn tapestries created for this project, Jupiter which is in its exaltation, Neptune which is in its exaltation, Saturn which is in its detriment and mars which is in its fall. The background is a shimmery painted night sky with the embroidered constellation: Cancer. created in the summer of 2016
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moon.jpg20”x20” sewn tapestry of earth’s Moon, the home celestial body of Cancer. designed and created by me.
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elliot-cancer.jpgillustration based on a collaborative photoshoot with elliot, my Cancer muse. This archival print layers the illustration done with Prisma Markers and a fine black point pen, with photoshopped layers on top to add to dimension
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elliot cancer queer zodiac.jpgCancer muse flexing at Baltimore's Jone's Falls for part of the Queer Zodiac Project photo series
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IMG 7492In February 2016 I started the 'queer zodiac project' in which i photographed 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists or activists who embodied my interpretation of of their zodiacal sign. I turned these photos into a flip book stop motion 1 minute short film, layering together their talent, my illustration & editing. Here my tender-hearted, nostalgic dandy strongperson flexes to personify the pinchers of the Cancer crab.
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leo.jpg
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sun.jpg20”x20” sewn tapestry of the Sun, the home celestial body of Leo. designed and created by me.
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talani-leo.jpgillustration based on a collaborative photoshoot with Talani, my Leo muse. This archival print layers the illustration done with Prisma Markers and a fine black point pen, with photoshopped layers on top to add to dimension
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leo1.jpgPhoto from our ‘Queer Zodiac Project photoshoot. Talani smiles proudly with a sunflower in front of a Baltimore mural of Lion & constellation of Leo.
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IMG 7494In February 2016 I started the 'queer zodiac project' in which i photographed 12 dynamic queer Baltimore artists or activists who embodied my interpretation of of their zodiacal sign. I turned these photos into a flip book stop motion 1 minute short film, layering together their talent, my illustration & editing. Here my Leo Muse proudly stands, poised and confident radiating her Sun royalty self.