PLACEMATS
The placemat is familiar vocabulary to us — of the restaurant variety, of the kitchen commons. Dinnertime entertainment, unprecious artifact, its purpose is commercial and utilitarian. We draw on its longheld understanding as printed multiple, to make functional the broadsides from our gatherings.
Available styles, marking significant moments:
Shanghai & Bangkok (September 2019)
Packing lists and travel ephemera from our trip to the Bangkok Art Book Fair — our first distro of FORTUNE zines abroad, and a homecoming tour to Shanghai, Bangkok, and Sapphaya.
Year of the Metal Rat Party (January 2020)
Flyer and party debris from our Lunar New Year celebration and final FORTUNE zine release — a performance festival at the Rotunda in West Philadelphia.
Chicago (May 2021)
Notes from a research trip to Chicago, to visit the Gerber/Hart Archives, Leather Archives, Al's Drive In, and Lake Michigan.
Annotated Readers (August 2021)
Materials, instructional aids, and crowd-sourced notes from our Annotated Readers project: a collection of re-printed, queer Asian archival materials from 1971-2003 — sourced from 7 archives, annotated and activated by writers in community, and continually circulated by mail.
Bucket Hat (August 2022)
Patterns and references from our time at Queer Materials Lab, for a hand-dyed edition of hats we made in memoriam, dear Joan — our friend who kept these familiar
Year of the Water Rabbit Party (January 2023)
Flyer and mementos from our Lunar New Year party at the Icebox Project Space. Our first gathering since the pandemic featured a karaoke variety show, 3D-animated projections, fare and wares by local Asian vendors, parlor games, and a 7ft disco ball.
Year of the Wood Dragon Party (February 2024)
We gather again! Flyer and ephemeral keepsakes from FORTUNE’s fourth annual Lunar New Year Party, and fifth anniversary. This celebration featured workshops, dancing and drag performances, live dumpling-saucing, and a dim sum-inspired snack service, a la carte.
*Dinner Set* (2020-2024)
All 7 for the price of 6!
Risograph printed, and laminated.
11.5x17.5 inches, double-sided.
Edition of 50.
