“When I say ‘Let’s get cozy,’ I’m asking you to join me in the making of a new and better world.”
Gotkin reflects on the historical, social, and political meanings of coziness—from its origins in consumer culture, through to its contemporary usages in networks of self and community care. Rejecting political movements premised on discomfort or hustle, Gotkin shows how getting cozy should be celebrated when founding movements rooted in disability justice principles.
“Artists-in-Presidents” is initiated by Constance Hockaday, curated by Christine Shaw, and commissioned by The Blackwood (University of Toronto Mississauga). Podcast production by Vocal Fry.
Transmissions are released every Friday from August 6–December 17, 2021. To view the portrait gallery, access ASL videos and transcripts, and for additional information about the project, visit www.artistsinpresidents.com and www.blackwoodgallery.ca.
Kevin Gotkin is an access ecologist, community organizer, and teacher. They received their PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2018 and were a Visiting Assistant Professor of Media, Culture, & Communication at NYU from 2018–2021. From 2016–2019, they co-founded Disability/Arts/NYC with Simi Linton. More recently, they were an Artist-in-Residence at Het HEM in the Netherlands, lead steward of the REMOTE ACCESS nightlife series, and an inaugural cohort member of Creative Time's Think Tank.
Photo: Louise Hickman
