Notable Art Curator Lady Pheønix Collaborates with the Family of Breonna Taylor to Bring Virtual Safe Spaces to SXSW, in a new VR Experience
AUSTIN, Texas, March 9, 2022 — Last year, in solidarity with Breonna Taylor’s family, artist and curator Lady Pheønix developed Breonna’s Garden, a revolutionary framework for veneration through augmented reality (AR). Now, less than a full year later, the project is providing virtual safe spaces to larger audiences through fully immersive VR. The development of the project began after Lady Pheønix learned that Ju’Niyah Palmer, (Breonna’s younger sister) was receiving death threats while publicly grieving her sister’s murder on Instagram. After speaking with Ju’Niyah, it was apparent that she not only needed a safe space to process her grief; but so did entire online communities that supported Breonna.
The Garden has evolved from a healing tool for Ju’Niyah and her family into a healing tool for the nation. It’s a sanctuary where Breonna’s name can be said without negation. Following successes at Tribeca Film Festival, the Perez Art Museum Miami, the Augmented World Expo where Breonna’s Garden won Best Societal Impact Award.
SXSW is an opportunity to introduce Breonna’s Garden to international audiences at the intersection of art, tech, social justice, education, entertainment, film, gaming, and more. This special place is a room inside the family’s home filled with mementos and portraits of Breonna, all of which honor her life.
Lady Pheønix notes that the intention of Breonna’s Garden is to keep the legacy of Breonna Taylor in Bloom. She remarked, “I trust that audiences will connect with the greater truth, that Breonna deserves justice. I hope this experience softens hearts and that audiences are receptive to the massive amount of love present in such a way that they stand in solidarity heart to heart with Breonna’s family and the rest of the globe.”
Breonna’s Garden was created in partnership with a number of creatives who lovingly volunteered their time like legendary Australian artist Sutu who led the project as its art and technical director. Breonna’s Garden invites those who would like to experience the original AR version ahead of SXSW to download the app here. View the SXSW schedule here https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/films/2054475. Now is the perfect time to say her name, louder.
SXSW
Congressional Ballroom, Booth #106
March 13-15, 2022 | 11:00am-6:00pm
https://schedule.sxsw.com/2022/films/2054475
Panel
Austin Convention Center
Room 16ab
March 16, 2022 | 10:00am
SOURCE Breonna’s Garden
https://tnc.network/entertainment/
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
