A zine to accompany Brian Hitselberger’s solo exhibition of the same name at {poem88} gallery in 2017.

Following an act of hate speech in the artist‘s literal front yard, Counterspell approaches several questions simultaneously:

-As a pacifist, how does one defend their family? -When do imagined threats become actual, and how can you be sure? -Is it possible to live without completely without fear? If so, who will teach us?

Weaving together original writing, interview, works of art and film stills of a drag performance on Youtube, Counterspell speaks to the lived experience of queer persons negotiating the shifting political landscapes of a post-Trump America. -Publisher