Echoes of Laughter
“People in the queer and trans community have been a lifeline for me in shaping my understanding of self, offering a place of belonging and reminding me that joy is not just something we find, but something we cultivate together.”
Let program maker Aisha Bah guide you through their exhibition ‘Why You Laughing’ by listening to a special podcast created in collaboration with Radio WORM. Aisha shares the personal journey that sparked it all -their queer awakening- and the reflections that continued to unfold during and after the exhibition. Poetry, voice notes and soundscapes bubble up like little bursts of laughter.
The exhibition ‘Why You Laughing’ explores the transformative power of Black queer and trans joy, and took place from November 2024 to January 2025 at MaMA.
Aisha Bah is a multidisciplinary artist, programmer, and curator based in Rotterdam. Her work is rooted in the pursuit of joy and a deep desire for equality. She draws inspiration from her own experiences in life and is dedicated to creating art and intentional spaces that center joy, celebrate African-Caribbean culture and uplift queer and trans communities. https://aishabah.nl/
Why You Laughing? highlights the transformative power of joy from a Black queer and trans perspective. The exhibition celebrates the joy that is able to persist in the face of life’s challenges, offering space for authenticity, connection and necessary rest. It emphasizes how joy is a vital source for resistance, healing and community.
