Feature Friday - Amnesia
Name
Amnesia
Pronouns
They/Them
Bio
Wait a minute... Who's this...? AH YES!!! It's Amnesia!! How can I forget? My name is Anisia Alexe, also known as Amnesia based on mispronunciation. I'm a 22, non-binary, mixed media artist based in Montreal. The name Amnesia is mostly known in the drag scene, but I am also a hip-hop dancer under that name, currently in the dance crew E.Y.E. created by my mentor Professor Word (@wordlunaticussteez).
Instagram
@ani.was.here
Where in Montreal are you located?
In Lachine!
What do you love about that neighborhood?
It honestly has to be the scenery around. I like how its not as rowdy as the middle of downtown and still has a lot of nature to offer, couldn't be more glad about that. As much as I love how lively life is downtown, seeing everyone and seeing them live their lives and show their own colors just from passing by, I love that when I return to my neighborhood, its my time to relax.
What’s your favourite art space in Montreal and why?
Place-des-arts. I mean it’s in the title! So much is happening there, whether its festivals, events, decoration, people, etc... its so lively and inspiring! And as a dancer too, there's a lot happening, along with sessions happening, and if you're not familiar with what that is, its when a bunch or a few of us dancers (or anyone) meet up to just dance and exchange. We have people from the dance community to total strangers meeting up and showing their flavor, so we get to see all kinds of dance styles and just enjoy each others presence. Its those moments right there that make you connect with your community.
What do you do on stage? Tell us about your work!
My go to is all about trying to charm you. I am known as a drag thing/creature, just how there are drag queens and drag kings, there is the "non-binary version" drag thing, and I like to play a lot with that theme, meaning I will give you both femininity and masculinity and the infamous in-between. Given I have a dance background, I am 100% taking advantage of that. I will guide you through my songs, trying to serenade you and grasp as much of your attention as possible. The major thing that helps me with my numbers too, is how much fun I have performing them. As much as I have anxiety before going on stage, there is no doubt that I make sure you have a great time as much as I do on stage. My thematic has definitely changed over the years. I used to do more creature/horror numbers, now I still have those up my sleeve, but my go to's rely on charm and funky moves instead.
Describe your art in your own words.
My art is very strange, to put it simply. Saying that because it's the most recurrent comment I've gotten when showcasing my art. Don't worry, I take that as such a compliment! My art is strange, but so ME. It gets inspiration from horror, from video games, books, comics, to the beauties in life, all the things I enjoy! I don't like to restrict my art, I let it flow however it wants, because that is when the greatest pieces come to life. From paintings, drawings, drag numbers, to simple expression, I let myself explore whatever comes to mind. It's restriction that puts me in a spot where I'm trapped, where I can't find the full potential of what I'm creating. My art is also in a spot with challenging people. A lot of people will judge, but despite all of that, I will refuse to let it change what it stands for and how it represents ME. My identity is tied to what I create, and it will forever stay true to that.
What have you been working on recently?
I am currently preparing for a dance competition with my crew which is happening a couple months away form now along with preparing for two upcoming drag shows under the production of Eye Horus Drag by Kleopatra Perfection. One being December 6th and one being March 7th! Aside that I'm working on some personal projects involving both my drag and dance too, like videos and paintings so do look forward to that!
What drew you to the stage?
I have danced hip-hop for over 5 years and at the same time I was studying and pursuing arts. I was trying to find something that combined those two together, and that was when I found out about drag. I absolutely loved performing for a crowd when I was just dancing, so imagining creating my own numbers while mixing my knowledge and passion from visual arts was just so fitting, I had to try it out. I remember seeing a post on Instagram about an open stage in August 2022 by Yikes Macaroni, welcoming new performers to try out drag, so I told myself "Well, f**k it, lets do it", and so I did. It was intimidating at first, because I had never been to a drag show before or ever performed in drag, I didn't know what to expect, and mind you my makeup was atrocious back then, but everyone welcomed me with such warmth, people cheered laughed and smiled, it was a night to remember. I can truly say that I never met a community with so much love to give like that. From my 2nd show ever, I also got adopted by my drag parent Ad'Horrible, giving birth to the House of Horrible, and they've been my inspiration to push my drag forward and make them proud since.
Who are some of your favourite stage performers?
Prudence (@prudenomore) Her numbers make me feel so much. What I mean by that is that, she is so passionate about what she does that it touches you emotionally so much. Whether its the comedic numbers or the ballad numbers, it never fails to grasp you.
Kleopatra (@kleoperfection) She has the kind of numbers that get you so pumped up. Its the kind of numbers that make you want to stand up and dance with them. And they are so clever, so versatile, so well thought out!
Val the Freak (@valthefreak) Fellow drag thing and creature! They bring such a spunk and flavor to any show they are in! They bring in numbers that make you see how much fun they had in preparing it. They show so much love for their craft, I can't help but smile and feel joy when seeing their numbers.
Ad'horrible (@adhorrible.mtl) Am I biased for putting my drag parent? I wouldn't say so when their performances show why they are one of my favorites. They are the reason I am who I am today. They are unapologetically themselves and pay homage to their heritage. From funny to spooky, they have such a variety of numbers and they are all entertaining.
Tell us about your BEST or WORST performance.
Well, I wouldn't consider this my Worst performance, but it definitely was one to remember. It was back in August 2023, and to give context, it had been a little less than a year since I had done drag because of a busy schedule and not having enough time to dedicate myself to this craft (basically took a break from drag). I was invited by my drag parent Ad’horrible to perform for their production: Underkingstruction, to celebrate its 1-year anniversary. Given it was an important event, and my first reappearance in the drag scene after so long, I of course had to go BIG, have a flashy comeback. And when I say big, I mean quite literally, because I decided to craft a huge hammer to perform with. My makeup looked more polished, I had a beautiful black and white outfit and the piece de resistance: a hammer half my size. The day of the show, I’m all nervous because I haven't performed in a while, but also because I haven't tested how to swing my hammer to the tempo of the song I had chosen. Can’t really blame me, though. The hammer was so big that I had a hard time trying to get it out of my house without knocking things around. Regardless, the show must go on! The beginning goes great, the crowd is cheering, I'm getting the hang of swinging it around, then a little more than halfway into the song, I notice the cameraman hired for the show (@bean_pic) right in front of the stage, and I thought of a cool shot he could take if I hit a certain pose right. That pose being, me mid-swing in front of him. To spoil it for you, I did the full swing, and it hit the camera lens, resulting in Charlot Bean hurting his nose. I had done that same swing seconds before trying it in front of him, but I unfortunately lost control over my stance the 2nd time because I wasn't used to the weight of the hammer enough, and hit my dear friend. I couldn't have been more apologetic towards Charlot, but he encouraged me to keep performing and let that moment pass; he encouraged me to finish my number as intended. After my number, I, of course, checked up on him several times, even suggesting buying him a new lens, but he found that instance funny, more than anything. This moment is now an inside joke between all of us drag artists who were there that night.
What’s your favorite Montreal stage and why?
I would say at Bar le Cocktail or (back when we we're allowed to perform there before the unfair noise complaints) at Bar Champs. For Cocktail it's because of how open the stage is and how much I'm able to interact with the crowd because of that fact. There's also great sound quality and lights and gotta give a shoutout to the bartenders as well. Its one of my favorite spots especially because of all the fond memories I have here. I performed on that stage when I was 18, freshly starting drag, to now. For Champs its the same reason with the memories, specifically when I participated in a drag competition called Drag Thunderdome curated by Rosa Golde and Augusta Wind. I really miss that experience and the thrill of those nights. It brought such a great and queer community together, those nights brought so much love and warmth.
