Berlin-based director Adam Munnings first caught our attention in 2021 after directing German rapper RIN’s FYN music video. Opening up to us about his journey from Tasmania to New York City to Berlin, he explained the roots of his creativity in dance, performance and music. So it’s no surprise to discover that Munnings and music producer and DJ, Elninodiablo are the figures behind Berlin’s latest bi-monthly queer party, Lunchbox Candy, which takes place this Saturday at AEDEN.
Photography by Arnaul Ele
Going by the motto ‘glitter-spattered, sequin-studded, love bursting, high-heel perched devotion to the groove!,’ the party is the love child of the long-time collaborators, and for their third edition, they will debut their new music video, ‘Vaugahyde’ — a “love letter” to the queer community.
Photography by Arnaul Ele
“‘Vaugahyde’ is a very personal and special project to me. Berlin is a powerful city that is a playground, melting pot and safe haven for queer people to come together and find a place of acceptance and also a place where they feel free to discover themselves. A place where they are seen, recognised and understood. Throughout my time here I have faced many personal challenges and in turn have had a journey of learning to unlearn. I owe these lessons to the community that I am surrounded by. It is the same community that inspired ‘Vaugahyde’.”
Photography by Arnaul Ele
“I felt the need to represent this energy in ‘Vaugahyde’ so knowing that this was our driving force I wrote a manifesto inspired by conversations, beliefs, values and experiences I have had and feel connected to. The concept grew from there. We touch upon loose metaphors of transformation, interconnectedness, sex positivity, identity and of course gender.”
“It’s about showcasing the diversity in the queer community. A lot of representation leans more into cis male-bodied members of our community but it’s really so much more than that. It’s also celebrating what makes us unique. It’s powerful and we are stronger together. As we are often faced with adversity we adopt mindsets and values that unite us and reshape rigid societal norms…”
Photography by Arnaul Ele
“…I feel lucky to see things the way I do. For the most part, the queer community are super supportive of each other and it’s our differences and individual narratives that bring us together. The film is very much in your face and unapologetic, which for a long time were qualities that weren’t showcased in queer visibility.”
Photography by Arnaul Ele
On the title: “it’s a made-up word – it sounds quite bold and it could point to a place or location, a state of being or a state of mind, or a community, perhaps a dance…I love the ambiguity of it and also its sense of familiarity.”
Photography by Arnaul Ele
Find more information about the event at Resident Advisor.