MISSED CONNECTIONS: An Analog Cruising Support Intervention

In Summer 2023 my partner and I visited Fire Island’s Cherry Grove for the second time. In advance of our trip I knew that I wanted to do a public art piece. This work was part performance, print making and social practice. I made a set of missed connection interactive stations that had: (1) A Missed Connection Mad Libs - for people to fill out with provided pens (2) A Missed Connections Poster - and push pins to put up your mad libs and (3) A Missed Connections Party Flyer.

The intent was to be a gestural intervention that could support transmasculine crusing. Unlike the cis gay and queer men who frequent Fire Island Pine’s, the majority of the people who spend time on fire Island are transmasculine, lesbian, or queer femme identified. In these communities cruising looks different and can be a source of interest, intrigue and also awkwardness.

By making it more playful, by offering support in the literal architecture of the internvention (the mad libs) and by hosting a party on the beach to make it easy for people to re-meet by accident, but on purpose, Missed Connections sought to create space for more pleasurable coincidence.