Mumtaz Hammad works across urban planning, sound design, and writing to explore spatial justice, cultural preservation, and community-centered mapping. They hold an M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia University's GSAPP and an M.A. in South Asian Studies from UT Austin.
Their trans-disciplinary practice investigates how community spaces are located, interpellated, and experienced through processes of planning, performance, and sonic composition.
Their writings have been published in EFNIKS, Spy Kids Review, URBAN Magazine, Cordite Magazine, and Rest for Resistance.
CV may be provided upon request.
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BPM X DOA PRESENT: THE FIFTH ASCENSION WITH TATI AU MIEL AND EMBACI
Group Exhibition and Performance
2022
Role: Curator, Collaborator, Producer, Designer, Performer
Collective: B.P.M. Collective (Austin, TX)
Venue: Abandoned water drainage area, Austin, Texas
Featured Artists: Tati Au Miel, Embaci, Nudo, Lucia Beyond, Vio en Vivo, Mmateriaa, Gemflesh, Mortalcoil, Connie Pico (Visuals) Project Description
A collaborative, performance-based audiovisual installation and exhibition produced with B.P.M. Collective, featuring international electronic music artists Tati Au Miel and Embaci with underground accolade with work published by NON Worldwide, Halcyon Veil, and Fact Magazine. Two additional local headliners– Lucia Beyond and Nudo, showcased avant-garde artistry rooted in Texas. This site-specific event transformed an abandoned water drainage area in the heart of Austin into temporary cultural venue, demonstrating community-led approaches to cultural production and spatial reclamation.
Curatorial Vision
The Fifth Ascension centered experimental electronic music and performance art in an unconventional venue, creating space for queer, trans, nonconforming artists outside traditional institutional frameworks. The programming emphasized sonic experimentation, visual spectacle, and community gathering as resistance to commodified and santized nightlife.
Production Responsibilities
- Curatorial direction: Artist selection, programming vision, thematic development
- Venue design: Site transformation, spatial planning, installation design
- Artist coordination: Contract negotiation, technical rider management, hospitality
- Performance: Performed as 'Mortalcoil' alongside headliners
- Production management: Budget oversight, logistics, safety protocols, permitting
Technical Elements
- Site-specific installation design in abandoned infrastructure
- Sound system design and acoustic planning
- Lighting design and visual production by Connie Pico
- Multi-artist coordination across international bookings
Community Impact
This event created accessible cultural programming outside institutional gatekeeping, demonstrating how grassroots collectives can produce high-quality, experimental cultural experiences. The project modeled community-centered curation and alternative venue activation.
Documentation: Flier artwork by Eric Hernandez
Skills: Curation • Exhibition design • Artist management • Budget management • Site-specific installation • Performance • Community organizing • Technical production