Arts: One in Ten

MELBOURNE: Matthew Dayler is part of the ‘One in Ten’ exhibition of gay artists at Off the Kerb gallery.

Matthew Dayler, what is a “gay male perspective” these days?

The diversity of the gay community is what, I see, and not to generalize but some gay men are all about muscles, and clothes, and clubs, and others are quite the opposite – very conservative and want to assimilate. I personally strive for the real. I like real men. Men that are honest with themselves and don’t subscribe to a false ideal, ones that understand a true sense of self. Comfortable in their own skin. That is what makes us unique and stand out from the crowd.

Is the push for marriage equality a radical act?

I don’t think it is radical, I understand the implications of marriage within the system, and for the recognition of equal rights, but I have always been conflicted with the act of marriage being hetero-normative, and that being a way for gay people to say we are the same and not different.

What is seen as a radical act by a gay artist?

That question is quite loaded. I feel that it is so hard to be radical these days; “shock” value has disappeared because of video documentation and the internet. These days I am so affected by our younger generation committing suicide as a result of the conditions that have been placed upon us by agendas of hate; bullying, and the lack of acceptance, for people who are different. Young gay kids need to know it is ok, and there is support.

Which of your works has inspired the most feedback?

‘The Avengers’, I feel, not really sure why. It’s never the work you think will get talked about that does get talked about. Lately the work of the company I founded along with Danny Babcock, Higher Level Art, has been getting all the attention, because it has been such a huge focus of mine, and has crossed over into my gallery work.

‘Gay’ is synonymous with ‘lame’ among young people. Why?

Pop Culture. I often find my straight friends or my students use it without thinking, but I also see white kids use the ‘n’ word without hesitation. American Culture is very contradictory, and I embrace that in some was within my work. We don’t hesitate to call each other fag either.

You talk about homosexual fantasies crossing over into the mainstream.

Gay men have always turned very heterosexual icons – images – into homoerotic fantasies: cowboys, cops, the Marlboro Man, coaches, these images are fantasies that are embraced by straight culture. In more contemporary senses, UFC, MMA, sports figures, team sports are all very homoerotic. It’s sexy to watch two men beat the shit out of each other, and then hug and kiss after. Hip-hop also is very homoerotic, they take their shirts off and rub up on each other, grabbing their dicks, all very hyper-masculine things that are quite questionable sexually.

Off the Kerb, 66B Johnston St, Collingwood, March 30 – April 13, 2012. offthekerb.com.au; matthewdayler.com

ARTS: ALSO WHAT'S ON

Diamond, Luke: two last times

You may have caught her in Daylesford ay the Palais with her More Than A Woman show, backed by a small version of her band, but this is absolutely your last chance to catch Dolly Diamond – and Luke Gallagher – in Melbourne before she heads off to England for six months.

This time, in Dolly Diamond & Luke Gallagher: One Night Only (Twice), Dolly and Luke front a 14 piece band belting out tunes from Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue, James Brown, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker and Whitney Houston, among others.

Dolly Diamond & Luke Gallagher: One Night Only (Twice), Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda, Friday, March 30 and Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 8pm. Bookings: (03) 9534 3388 or theatreworks.org.au

Arrested Development at ACMI

With a new season and a feature film in development, set for release in 2012, fans of dysfunctional family comedy series Arrested Development are finally getting the family reunion they have been waiting for.

Before catching up with the Bluths this year, Live in the Studio will allow fans a look back at the family antics that made the first three seasons of Arrested Development a hit with audiences and critics alike.

Pull on your never-nudes, grab a frozen banana and chicken dance to ACMI for this night in appreciation of Arrested Development with commentators Clem Bastow, Dan Barret, Jess McGuire and Martyn Pedler. This is your chance to share your own arrested development with other Blutherans.

Live in the Studio, Studio 1, ACMI, Federation Square, 7pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012. www.acmi.net.au