Explore The Essence of Love at TONE's Latest Exhibition

By
Carmen Monèt
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If you were prompted to take a picture capturing love, what would it be a photo of?

TONE's latest photography exhibition explores the depth of love.

Lens Language table top
Gabrielle Brooks

The Exhibition Features Two Femme-Presenting Queer Photographers

Well, you don’t have to use your own imagination to figure that out. TONE’s latest exhibition features two femme-presenting queer photographers: MadameFraankie and Kai Ross who explored love in all of its facets and created the immersive art show, Lens Language.

We’ve all been introduced to the concept of the five love languages: words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, receiving gifts, and physical touch.

These photographers introduced us to the love language of their lenses, shown: communally, romantically, platonically, selfishly, and familiarly.

Lens Language exhibit at TONE
Gabrielle Brooks

Find the Beauty in Small Moments

As you walk through the front of the gallery, MadameFraankie’s work will inspire you to find the beauty in the small moments. Her work takes you back to when life was simple; when all you had to do was go to your grandparents house and exist.

Through her film photography she captures the love that’s found in her microcommunity, family, and relationship.

Lens Language
Gabrielle Brooks

Art Within Gender and Sexuality

But this show is not over. As you keep going towards the second gallery you’ll find yourself in “the apartment” or Kai Ross’ portion of the exhibition. Here’s your chance to sit and experience the story of an artist who used to create art from pain, but can now only create it from love.

Kai’s work creates a safe space to have real conversations regarding the complex nature of gender and sexuality. Conversations where we get to allow love to help guide us through. It’s through their conceptual photography that they’ve created a “visual mixtape” for the world to see, a moment where love can free you, not because it’s easy, but because it’s real.

Lens Language Kai Ross
Kai Ross
Lens Language
Gabrielle Brooks
Lens Language
Kai Ross

Photography as an art form doesn’t have the capacity to be touched, but it holds the power of being felt.

As you walk through the exhibition and become inspired by the art, I encourage you to find the love behind your lens.

GO THERE

Lens Language will be available to view at TONE HQ Gallery, located on 2234 Lamar Ave. See the exhibit Thursday and Friday from 4pm-8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-5pm.

portrait of carmen monet

About the Author

Hi, Hii. I’m Carmen Monèt and I am a free-lance journalist from Memphis, TN. I’ve always had a love for storytelling and actually I used to say that I was providing a voice for the “voiceless;” but as I’ve grown as a writer I’m learning that we’ve always had a voice, we just didn’t have the platform to express ourselves.

So I listen a lot, but I also get to connect with people so much. My daughter Cabella is the best part of my entire life, and she has pushed me to actually follow my dreams of becoming a real writer. I hope that people are able to really feel the passion and vulnerability that I infuse in my writing, and be teleported into the story.

Build your perfect Memphis meal:

If I could build my version of the “perfect” meal in Memphis, we’d have to take a drive around the city and make a few stops. I’m a certified taco lover, and currently TacosNGanas has been my go-to for some good shrimp tacos. Once we leave there, let's slide over to Slider Inn, and order the “Mix & Match,” granted we’re doing more matching than mixing, because I only ever order their fried Buffalo Chicken sliders with no pickles, ofcourse. Now our next stop has some of the best food I’ve ever tasted, but what stood out the most to me was their creamy mac & cheese, I’m a southern girl and I love me some mac & cheese. Last but not least, we’ve got to walk just a couple of doors down to Babalu for some fresh guacamole. I can  assure you that there is absolutely nothing cohesive about this picnic, but none of the flavors will disappoint you. 

Why do you love Memphis:

Memphis is just such a cultural powerhouse. This city that I love has given me so many beautiful memories. Each day I get to experience it from a different view, but in that, I still get to experience the underlying feeling of community. The people here are some of the best people in the world. There are local artists whose eyes will light up when they see you supporting them and singing along with them. There are locally-owned and operated restaurants that care about you actually being satisfied with your meal and their service. One of the things I love and think about the most is how Memphis has been able to “bounce-back” to life and actually living, after so many doors were closed forever due to COVID; but, I can’t say that I’m surprised, our perseverance is unwaivering.

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