Blackstar Sanctuary

Film

Blackstar Sanctuary (2024) is a virtual reality film that explores an expansive ancient Egyptian temple complex that houses megalithic statues of the 16 Black queer deities depicted in Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers, a collection of glass sculptures. Guided by a Rainbow Serpent through the course of a symbolic day, viewers here experience an imaginal world of the gatekeepers, queer shamanic figures in indigenous African traditions who bridge physical and spiritual realms. Blackstar Sanctuary, by presenting this potent realm of transformation and rebirth, activates the revival and expansion of Black queer spiritual traditions.

Creative Director: Marques Redd

Art Director: Mikael Owunna

3D Artist: Devin Smith

Sound Design: Cristii & Jabez Walsh

Blackstar Sanctuary is available as a Limited Edition USB Box Set. For inquiries, please contact info@therainbowserpent.org.

Screenings

2024

Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Glass Center, May 03 - July 28, 2024

Opening Reception: Friday, May 03, 2024, 6-9 pm

Big Sur, CA: The Esalen Institute, June 15, 2024

Pittsburgh, PA: Emerald City, June 29, 2024, 2 pm

Big Sur, CA: The Esalen Institute, September 11, 2024

Blackstar Sanctuary was made possible with support of The Frank Ratchye Studio for Creative Inquiry and the Carnegie Mellon University Extended Reality Technology Center.