Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

This is a must visit: Deep in Vogue

Kunsthal Rotterdam presents the exhibition Deep in Vogue in collaboration with Amber Vineyard, from September 18 to January 9, 2022. The exhibition is described as a celebration of ballroom culture designed to give context to a subculture formed by and for queer and transgender people, black and of color.Text: Fleur de Jong
Image: Kunsthal RotterdamDeepin Vogue will open during September 18 during Rotterdam Pride, festively. Thirty black-and-white photographs by French-Haitian documentary photographer Chantal Regnault tell the story of the structures and mutual affection within the chosen families. Key aspects of ballroom culture from the 1980s to the present will be highlighted.

Chantal Regnault | Connie Girl Fleming, backstage at the largest grand march ever during AIDS benefit Palladium
New York, June 1990

Chantal Regnault | Legendary voguer Willi Ninja with body jewelry by Thierry Mugler
New York, June 1989

Back to the year 1970

For the origins of ballroom culture, let's go back in time to the year 1970 and the New York neighborhood of Harlem. Gay men and transgender women, black and of color, often face exclusion and discrimination both outside and inside the LGBTQIA+ community. They create their self-selected families, called houses, and gather at balls: safe places where different ideals apply than in the outside world, where white and straight is the norm. Queens imitate poses of fashion models and trump each other on the dance floor in extravagant clothing and makeup. From this arises a stylized form of dance, better known as Voguing. 

Originating from the underground scene in New York, the ballroom scene first gained attention from the general public when Madonna launched her music video Vogue in 1990. In recent years, ballroom has again gained attention through television series Pose and ballroom events at major festivals.

Chantal Regnault | Legendary voguers Luis, Danny, Jose and David-Ian Xtravaganza
New York, May 1989

 

Video

Documentary filmmaker Ottilie Maters will visualize five elements of vogue performance especially for the exhibition. Her work will also include video footage of contemporary ballroom culture in Europe. Multidisciplinary fashion house MAISON the FAUX is responsible for the design of Deep in Vogue.

Click here for more information about the exhibition. 

Ottilie Maters | Princess Gaby Vineyard, Mother Amber Vineyard, Typhoon Angels chant and cheer a 'Voguer' (participant) at the 'Emerald City Ball,' organized by House of Vineyard Milkshake Festival, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2017