Soapbox presents: Soapbox presents: Fleming & Vanessa Oniboni in conversation

Fleming (b. 1987, Philadelphia) is a queer multidisciplinary artist, and a long term member of a network of DIY underground creative communities in the United States. They are currently a second year MFA candidate at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Film Video, New Media, and Animation department. 

They are engaged in the work of constantly questioning how and what freedom looks like, through the analysis and growth out of the constructs and systems that inhibit it.  Ultimately, whether the work’s expression is humor, rage, psychedelic maximalism or meditative transcendentalism, the force and goal that drives it is liberation. The breadth of their work encompasses both an antagonizing and joyful irreverence for late capitalist cultural mores, and a sincere and persistent reverence for the sublime. Through immersive installations of projected video, sound and sculpture, they invite the participant to experience the body as the interface through which we connect to the earth, each other, and a cosmic interdimensionality. A desktop performance practice that pairs navigation of deep media archives with political discussions typed to the audience, is complemented by an intertwined social practice of advocating for access and equity within art institutions. They are one half of the tekno duo 404 NOT FOUND.

Born in Lima, Peru, parent of 2 awesome kids, and with a background in arts and social justice, Vanessa became a certified permaculture designer from the year-long Permaculture Research Institute course in 2022, and is a Regenerative Designer on Mycelium Co-Design (https://www.instagram.com/mycelium_codesign/).

They enjoy creating ecological designs by establishing connections between elements in ecosystems and the emotional aspects of working within communities, and they are currently part of Wonderland Community Project (https://www.instagram.com/wonderland__community_project/), an intentional community in McHenry, IL, working on land-based reciprocal relationships and rooted in mutual aid and solidarity, where resources, capabilities, and caring are shared.