Matchmaking in the Archive: 19 Conversations with the Dead and 3 Encounters with Ghosts

Artist E.G. Crichton paired 19 innovative LGBTQ artists, writers, and musicians with deceased people from the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society's archives to bridge the generation gap and document the project in Matchmaking in the Archive.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Though today's LGBTQ people owe a great deal to the generations who came before them, their historical legacies are not always readily apparent. Working with the archives of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society, artist E.G. Crichton decided to do something to bridge this generation gap. She selected 19 innovative LGBTQ artists, writers, and musicians, then paired each of them with a deceased person whose personal artifacts are part of the archive. Including 25 pages of vivid images, Matchmaking in the Archive documents this monumental creative project and adds essays by Jonathan Katz, Michelle Tea, and Chris Vargas, who describe their own unique encounters with the ghosts of LGBTQ history. Together, they make the archive come alive in remarkably intimate ways.

Introduction:
The LGBTQ community has made significant strides in recent years, thanks in part to the tireless efforts of those who came before them. However, it is important to recognize that the historical inheritances of the community are not always obvious or readily accessible. This is particularly true for younger generations who may not have direct access to the archives and artifacts that document the community's past.

The Generation Gap:
One way to address this generation gap is through artistic collaboration. Artist E.G. Crichton, in partnership with the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society, decided to create a project that would bring together the living and the dead, bridging the gap between generations. The project, titled "Matchmaking in the Archive," involved selecting 19 innovative LGBTQ artists, writers, and musicians, and pairing each of them with a deceased person whose personal artifacts are part of the archive.

The Matchmaking Process:
Crichton worked closely with the Historical Society to select the artists, writers, and musicians who would participate in the project. She carefully considered each participant's artistic style and approach, as well as their connection to LGBTQ history. Once the participants were selected, Crichton paired each of them with a deceased person whose personal artifacts are part of the archive. The artists, writers, and musicians were then given access to the archive and were encouraged to create works of art that were inspired by their deceased partner.

The Result:
The result of "Matchmaking in the Archive" is a stunning collection of 25 pages of vivid images that document the monumental creative project. The images feature the artists, writers, and musicians working alongside their deceased partners, creating works of art that are both beautiful and meaningful. In addition to the images, the project also includes essays by Jonathan Katz, Michelle Tea, and Chris Vargas, who describe their own unique encounters with the ghosts of LGBTQ history.

Conclusion:
"Matchmaking in the Archive" is a powerful example of how art can be used to bridge the generation gap and bring together the living and the dead. By working with the archives of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Historical Society, Crichton has created a project that not only documents the community's past but also adds new layers of meaning and understanding to it. The project serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving LGBTQ history and heritage, and of the ways in which the community can continue to honor and celebrate its past while also looking forward to a brighter future.

Dimension: 203 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978823143