Sux Xus is no stranger to the provocative,the daring, the convention-disrupting. Hewears those labels like a badge of honor,a shield against the mundane. As the artcurator of QUEER, the daring, glitteringexhibition of queer objects that has theworld on its toes, he welcomes me with asly smile, right in front of the biggest,shimmering pile of glitter you can possiblyimagine.The exhibition, he explains, is more thanjust an assemblage of objects; it's avisceral, raw statement about queeridentity and history. Each item has its ownstory, each one loaded with the weight ofbattles fought and won, love found andlost, identities claimed and embraced.Take, for instance, the gun that endedHarvey Milk's life, now displayed under aglass dome. It's a haunting testament to afight that is far from over. Nearby, adiamond-encrusted Truvada PrEPmedication bottle, courtesy of DamienHirst, sparkles ominously. "We'reconfronting tragedy, but also resilience,"Xus says, his eyes gleaming with defiance.

There's whimsy too, of course. A rainbowunicorn, alive and prancing in itsdesignated space, a physicalmanifestation of pure, unadulteratedqueer joy. Its shimmering mane, like awaterfall of rainbow-colored glitter, makesadults and children alike gasp in awe.Ru Paul's wig, in all its flamboyant glory, isencased in a beam of spotlight,commanding attention, symbolizing notjust the drag superstar, but the freedomand defiance of drag culture at large.Further along, there's the Two Spirits Flag,a stark, beautiful symbol of a culture thatunderstood, respected, and honorednon-binary identities long before modernsociety began to grapple with theconcept.

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No exhibition of queer history would becomplete without an ode to Marsha P.Johnson. And here, her flower crown sits,delicate, unassuming, but imbued with apower that transcends its physical form, atribute to the queen herself.Finally, the centerpiece: David Bowie'sZiggy Stardust costume. An outfit that wasmore than just a stage attire. It was astatement, a rebellion, an embrace ofotherness.It's evident that Xus' approach is informedby a profound respect for these objectsand the narratives they carry. Themountain of glitter may sparkle and theunicorn may dazzle, but ultimately, thisexhibition is about illuminating the queerexperience, about honoring the past whilefiercely claiming the future.Q: And we can't forget the mountain ofglitter and the living unicorn within theexhibition. What do these elementscontribute to the narrative of QUEER?Sux Xus: Ah, the glitter and the majesticunicorn! They're the embodiment of ourunbridled imagination and the fantasticalessence of queerness. They defy societalexpectations and transport us to a realmof boundless possibility. These elementsencourage us to break free from theordinary and embrace the extraordinary,reminding us that queerness is anenchanting journey of self-discovery.

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Q: The exhibition also includes iconicitems like a RuPaul wig and Marsha P.Johnson's Flower Crown. Whatsignificance do these objects hold?Sux Xus: Oh, honey, the RuPaul wig andMarsha P. Johnson's Flower Crown aresacred artifacts of queer culture! Theyrepresent the vibrant spirit andindomitable strength of our queer icons.These objects carry the legacy oftrailblazers who fearlessly paved the wayfor generations to come. They remind usto embrace our authentic selves andstand tall in a world that sometimes triesto diminish us.Q: One particularly daring piece is DamienHirst's intervention of a Truvada PREPmedication bottle, with diamondsreplacing the pills. What message doesthis convey?Sux Xus: Ah, Damien Hirst, the maestro ofprovocation! His audacious interventionspeaks volumes. By replacing the pillswith dazzling diamonds, he challenges thenotion that queerness needs to besuppressed or medicated. It's aresplendent symbol of our strength,resilience, and the preciousness of ouridentities.

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