JJJJJerome Ellis's 'Unfinished Calendar' at Secession Explores Time, Dysfluency, and Resistance

Interdisciplinary artist JJJJJerome Ellis showcases 'An unfinished calendar that commemorates slaves escaping their enslavers, 1673–1886' at Vienna's Secession from 11 September to 22 November 2026. Curated by Bettina Spörr, this exhibition highlights Ellis's multifaceted approach, incorporating performance, sound, text, and improvisation. A key focus of Ellis's work is the concept of dysfluency, where interruptions are not seen as shortcomings but rather as moments rich with potential. By embracing silence, hesitation, and repetition, Ellis challenges conventional notions of fluent speech and productivity. The exhibition encourages audiences to perceive listening as both an artistic and political engagement, transforming interruptions into opportunities for diversity and innovative relationships. It reconceptualizes time as a platform for resistance and Black fugitivity, fostering nonlinear and improvisational knowledge.