At the core of the Open Lens Study Group is the belief that all layers of our identities are interconnected and create a very specific lived experience. Intersectionality, for us, is an approach to understand and work with this diversity of diversity. 

Therefore, we decided for the theme of our first cycle to focus on precisely that. Together with our first external practitioner Heleneard Louw (he/his), the group will explore intersectionality and how it relates to discrimination and oppression, power and privilege, and the politics of identity within the different spaces we hold.   

Helenard formerly worked for the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. As an intersectional pro-feminist researcher,  who is currently pursuing a PhD at the Vrije University of Amsterdam, his area of work is the “construction, embodiment, performance and representation of masculinities and disability among the coloured racial identity in South Africa”. Having a background in Psychology, Organisational Psychology, and Gender Studies, he currently explores the intersection of race, disability, masculinity, and violence.

In his practice, he uses life stories and photo-voice to explore the narratives and experiences of coloured men who acquired a spinal cord injury through interpersonal violence. His work looks closely at meanings of identity and embodiment and what happens when identities collide. Looking forward to working with the Open Lens Study Groups, he is most excited about the co-production of knowledge that the space will offer and what it means to collectively learn and unlearn parts of ourselves and others in an intimate and online setting.

We decided to work with Helenard not only because his area of research and work matches very well with the theme we will explore in the first cycle but mainly because we were amazed by his deep connection, understanding and commitment to approaching things through an intersectional lens and a critical eye.

Since our first contact with Helenard, he has shown nothing but openness, genuine curiosity, self-awareness, an ability to grasp our needs and expectations (as well as our hesitations) for this space while being ready to create an experience that takes all of that into account. We are convinced that Helenard will help us create a space of learning, kindness and deep reflection.

The first cycle will take place in September 2021. The live sessions will be held on every Wednesday of the month.
Applications for this cycle will start on August 13th and close on August 30th or once all spots are filled. You can access the application form here.