ABOUT THE Work

In an effort to resurface the spirit of queer ghosts from gentrified sites in San Francisco, Ibarra, strangers, and friends occupied five former queer Latino and Lesbian bars as if they were still there. Together the group made alters, wrote messages, imprinted their bodies, pleasures, and kisses onto the phantom walls of beloved queer venues —

Esta Noche (1979 – 2014)
La India Bonita (late 70s – 1996)
Amelia’s (1978 – 1991)
The Lexington (1997- 2015)
and Osento (1979 – 2008)

Strangers and friends occupied each location, sipped on spirits, danced in alleys, made out, and posted counterfeit “Public Notices of Application for Ownership Change”  while 1990s footage of queer Latinos and Lesbians in the former bars was projected onto walls.