The Empire of Missed Chances: Vol 1
Vol. 1 Manual for Masculinity
Sponsor The Empire of Missed Chances Here
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Sponsor The Empire of Missed Chances Here 〰️
“Amid brilliant twisting of language and vivid imagery, these poems are dark lonely rooms cut through by windows of light and warm company.”
- Quinn Carver Johnson, author of The Perfect Bastard
Empire of Missed Chances is a three volume series collaboration between the photography of M. Torres and the poetry of Zhenya Yevtushenko. Published by Torres Fine Art the first volume, Manual for Masculinity, explores the limitations and definitions of masculinity. By examining mythology, religious paradigms, and dreams the first volume allows photography to respond to the poetry. In the ultimate trust exercise between creatives, the photographer plays with some of the poet’s line breaks as the poet plays with some of the images created by the photographer.
In the second volume, Field Guide to Femininity, the poetry will largely respond to the photography leaving room for interdisciplinary cross-pollination.
The series will culminate with Vol. 3, an untitled, as-of-yet, anthology of Tulsa-based LBGTQIA+ poets rewriting and retelling famous myths edited by Yevtushenko and Oklahoma poet Quinn Carver Johnson.
Through Empire of Missed Chances Torres and Yevtushenko are carving out an artistic and creative space for community issues. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. The best way to support this project is to consider becoming a sponsor.
After several years of friendship Megan and Zhenya decided to challenge themselves through this project - Zhenya had never focused his poetry around masculinity and Megan had rarely taken portraits of men (solo and clothed). The project was always going to examine gender identity and gender roles using mythology in some capacity. In addition to being part of the community, Megan has worked closely with LBGTQIA+ organizations, clients, and creatives. In Zhenya’s personal life topics surrounding toxic masculinity and gender norms would surface and resurface. This would lead Yevtushenko to use poetic techniques centered around repetition and cycles.
Together through Empire of Missed Chances - the dialogue surrounding the definitions and limitations of gender identity grew as the project itself did to accommodate the space now created for it to flourish, encompassing not only that which is perceived as masculine but the feminine also.
The Empire of Missed Chances series launch event quickly became a multifaceted community event. Torres and Yevtushenko collaborated with Nick Mancini, a vibraphonist and jazz musician, to create a live performance in which music, photography, and poetry could all come together in real time. Together with exquisite catering and support provided by Chef Taylor at Chef’s Touch, the launch event at WOMPA provided a space for community building.
The launch performance, series concept, and overall execution, were received warmly by those seeking a space to ask honest questions rather than seeking out divisive political vitriol. As the first publication under the publishing arm of Torres Fine Art, Vol I. Manual of Masculinity continues to find itself in the hands of readers far and wide.
Both Zhenya and Megan have been completely astounded by the level of support from family and friends. Crucially, sponsors and supporters began to emerge as the project developed. Through performances, conversation, author events, and book sales EMC has raised hundreds of dollars in support of the LBGTQIA+ community in Oklahoma.
As Empire of Missed Chances continues to grow look for upcoming events, special deals on books, and sponsorship opportunities to become a thought provoker and a peacekeeper as we strengthen community through art.
Thank you to those who support EMC - to purchase books and sponsorships click on the links below - for speaking inquiries and performances contact us through the button below.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please join Zhenya Yevtushenko in conversation with Quinn Carver Johnson on
Oct. 7, 2023 at Whitty Books
- the conversation will center around Quinn’s debut collection The Perfect Bastard - exploring sexuality and professional wrestling - at 7PM
