Houwze Muzik: Queer Histories & Black Magic

Arsima Araya inspired by a poem written by Reginald BoClair

My Howze Reginald BoClar

Muzik is a part of my life. When I think of my life, I think of muzik.

Growing up, the Blues, rhythm and Blues, P-funk, punk-funk, and slow jams all talk to me as I lived and longed for love. I longed to be loved. I longed for a love that was mine, that did not hit me and hurt me and the name of discipline. As I grew into family people punk preppie and then I found Howze!

Oh how I love thee, my muzik. After you, I could never love another as I love thee. Sure, I flirt because man was not me to be alone, but it’s nothing because you are the air that I breathe and without you, I choke, no joke.

Because in the moment you and I first met, it was the only time in my life I ever felt free. So my muzik, my beloved howze muzik, in you I’m reminded of Streetkid filled nights, with joyful, foot stomping rhythms to the early morning light. Having just featured my soul at church filled with the Holy Spirit of ancestral beats beneath the city streets of the concrete jungle period muzik, my beloved howze muzik, oh how I love only thee through you I am able to transcend my environment and nostalgic field thoughts about the moment I first met you during the time we both were immature, trying to be grown, but at least back then we both were free.

Arsima Araya is a second year student studying Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity and Anthropology. She is currently enrolled in UChicago’s first mixed enrollment class with incarcerated students at Statesville Correctional titled “Narrating Social Change.” Among the class topics of abolition, the arts, activism, and Chicago history, House music was a bond held by many in the classroom, thus inspiring this shoot. The origins of House are rooted in the history and magic of Black queer people and to appreciate the art of this shoot is to appreciate their history.

This shoot is a visualization of a poem Arsima’s classmate, Reginald BoClair, wrote titled “Houwze Muzik.” The poem is a love story between himself and House. Reginald, self-proclaimed Houwze Head, was a DJ in the 1980s and an avid House listener. Arsima is honored to share this piece with you all and hopes you will see and connect with the painfully beautiful relationship between music and relief, love, and freedom.

Models: Tumi Onabanjo, Sebastian Davis, Alex Webb

Contributors: Destin Bundu, Sarah Gaudron, Brandin Moore, Mardet Mulugeta, Juliet Daniel, Malaz Nour, Arianna Lafontanant

Performance of Self

Malaz Nour

Malaz Nour is a second year studying Art History and Anthropology with a concentration on Africa and the Middle East. Outside of school, she spends time visiting exhibits around the city and participates in several Black affinity organizations and campaigns. She is passionate about contemporary African art, music, and culture.

“Performance” is a visual exploration of social expectations placed upon upon Black bodies in predominantly white spaces such as the University of Chicago. This shoot challenges what is considered “proper” and “acceptable” versus otherwise inappropriate in these environments. These bounds on self-expression confine Black bodies to different degrees, and it is only upon failing these expectations that a sense of newfound expressive freedom is discovered.

Models: Alexander Stern, James Roberson, Elizabeth Désir

Contributors: Destin Bundu, Sarah Gaudron, Brandin Moore, Mardet Mulugeta, Juliet Daniel, Arianna Lafontant, Arsima Araya