This couple are going to get married in every country where it’s legal
A queer couple are planning to visit every country where it’s legal for same-sex couples to get married and hold a wedding in each one.
The plan will see Fleur Pierets and Julian P. Boom travel the world over the next year and a half in order to tie the knot in all the legally-permitted countries.
The project was titled ’22’ after the 22 countries with equal marriage, but rather unhelpfully for the couple Germany and Malta have both recently legalised same-sex marriage.
The female art duo have now extended their trip to accommodate the two extra countries, taking the tally to 24. It could rise even further, if Australia votes in favour of equality this year.
Their first wedding for the project will take place in New York next month, with their final wedding planned more than a year later in New Zealand, in October 2017.
The trip will take them across the diverse range of countries around the world with marriage equality – from Colombia to Canada, and South Africa to Sweden.
The pair, who first married in Belgium in 2012, explained: “22 is an art project that speaks of evolution and optimism. A time capsule that instantly refers to the possibility of change.
“That captures the zeitgeist of a world in the midst of change when it comes to gender equality and human rights.
“22 celebrates the places that legalised gay marriage, and highlights the work that still needs to be done in the 170 countries that don’t.
“At the current rate we will reach global recognition of same-sex marriage in the year 2142. That’s 125 years from now so let’s see if they can get it to go a bit faster.”
Of the abruptly out-of-date name, they added: “Naming our project 22 shows that the world is in constant movement.
“We’re building a time capsule that instantly refers to the possibility of change and we ourselves don’t know to how many countries we will have to go, or have to add over the 18 month course of this project.
“We hope many, because this goes beyond being merely a work of art.
“22 can raise levels of awareness that may lead to changing laws and giving people the equal opportunities they deserve.”
The pair added: “Fascinated by gender, identity and community, our research-based practice functions as a mirror in which viewers can confront themselves with ideologies or beliefs.
“We are working towards cultural awareness when it comes to gender equality and gay imagery in mainstream art history.
“At the end of the performance, an art/video installation will be exhibited.”
“As a performance piece, we are getting married in: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States & Uruguay.”
You can follow their journey online.
