In her first solo exhibition at FotografiskaNY, the photographer and dancer KiaLaBeija shines a light on the heartaches and triumphs of growing up HIV+.
until Mother’s Day , presents a combination of the artist’s self-portraits and landscapes, as well as family photos and ephemera. To mark the show’s opening, LaBeija sat down for a conversation about motherhood, memory, and triumph.CONOR WILLIAMS: I’m curious about what your first artistic love was, whether that was dance, or photography, or something else.
LABEIJA: I wanted to involve as many people from my family as I could. My favorite photograph of my mom is taken by my Auntie Cindy. It’s in the show. After my mom died, I slept with that photo for years. Of course, I wanted my dad’s voice in the show, because he’s very much a part of the story, but he’s more private. My brother took all the footage of the early years of my life, which was super important, because I can still see my mother and hear her voice.
LABEIJA: Before I had that title, I had the ability to nurture the house more than I did after I got the title. Once someone gives you a title…it becomes a whole other thing.LABEIJA: Honestly? Power. You know, the House of LaBeija is the oldest house in ballroom. There’s a lot that comes with that. It’s hard to navigate a house that has such a legacy. It can be difficult when you have a vision, and you are trying your best to work as a team.
LABEIJA: One of the things that I love about New York is the way that light jumps off different buildings. Especially in the fall. The way that sunlight hits windows and reflects back is so romantic. I think everyone is the most beautiful in the sun. So, there’s two ways that I use light. One–I love to use natural night as much as possible. It’s like the Earth is telling you, “This is your moment. I’m giving you the spotlight.” Two–I love spotlight lighting.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Surge of HIV, tuberculosis and COVID feared amid war in UkraineAdding to the brutal, immediate effects of Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian people are facing an onslaught of infectious diseases
Read more »
Bessemer mother shot, injured while preparing to take children to schoolLt. Christian Clemons said the victim was walking with her children to the car to take them to school. The children are elementary school age or younger, police said.
Read more »
Summit County man carjacked outside his home, forced to drive to ATM, police sayThe carjacking happened around 4 a.m. in the 700 block of Wren Walk in Akron.
Read more »
The 51 Best Oscars Red Carpet Dresses of All TimeWhether you win or lose, everyone will remember what you wore.
Read more »
How Browns Got Back in the Watson ChasePlus, Buffalo becomes a destination, remembering John Clayton, and more
Read more »
Don Young: The man, the myth, the malapropisms - Alaska Public MediaAlaska Congressman Don Young was famous for rough edges and coarse language. He was also regularly named one of the most effective members of Congress.
Read more »