why a rube goldberg?
“Lor Rube” is an art installation and commentary on the various (convoluted) paths Black, queer and trans youth currently navigate in order to access resources in Baltimore City in the form of a community-informed Rube Goldberg machine. A Rube Goldberg is hard to describe without a visual (please see image and website link enclosed), but it is defined as a convoluted way to complete a simple task.
To inform the design of Lor Rube, my initial interviews were with service providers of Black, queer, and trans youth. Their insight on the barriers, twists and turns young people are faced with when attempting to secure housing, employment, transportation, and even identification will inform the design of the structure.
On Saturday, January 21, 2023, with the help of several volunteers we built mini Rube Goldberg machines in the City Arts community art gallery. Scroll down to see photos from the event.
Who's building Lor Rube?
Bakari Jones is a Baltimore based storyteller and strategist whose work centers the experiences of Black queer and trans communities.
New and gently used materials being accepted:
- Tennis balls
- Dominos
- Hot wheels
- Basketball
- Ping pong balls
- Fishing wire
- Baseballs
- Golf balls
- Bowling pins
- Ladder
- Bistro lights
- Funnels
- Marbles
- Cardboard
- Duct Tape
- Electrical Tape
Lor Rube Photo Gallery
