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Reynaldo Rivera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reynaldo Rivera
Born
1964

Known forPhotography, notably of Latinx culture

Reynaldo Rivera (born 1964) is a photographer whose work documents queer, transgender, and predominantly Latinx scenes in late 20th-century Los Angeles, including including clubs, house parties, and everyday life. His photography captures venues such as La Plaza, the Silverlake Lounge, Mugy’s, and Little Joy.[1]

Rivera’s black-and-white photographs document private moments and the lives of Latinx women, artists, and drag performers during this period.[2] His work highlights communities affected by gentrification, violence, and limited public record-keeping, which have contributed to their marginalization.[3] Rivera’s photography provides a historical record of these underrepresented groups in Los Angeles.[3]

Early life and career

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Reynaldo Rivera was born in 1964 in Mexicali, Mexico. [4] While growing up, he moved to many places throughout the United States and Mexico.[4] He now resides permanently in East Los Angeles, the site of the queer history he documented through his photos.[4]

Rivera's mother and father, both born in Mexico, met in Stockton. After his parents separated, Rivera oscillated between living with his mother and his father.[4] He navigated his childhood through various places, including Stockton, Pasadena, Mexicali, and Santa Ana, with his sister, Herminia.[5] Although most of Rivera's time was spent with his mother in Glendale, there were times when his father would take Rivera to reside with him.[2] Starting at the age of five, Rivera lived with his abusive grandmother, for four consecutive years after being kidnapped by his father.[2] Thereafter, Rivera's father would often bring him from Glendale to the San Joaquin Valley, where Rivera was exposed to his father's illegal activities.[2] Rivera also had some run-ins with the law, such as when he was faced with charges in the sixth grade for selling drugs.[2]

Rivera cites photography as a way for him to find stability.[2] His first camera was a Pentax K1000.[2] He began his career by photographing hotel cleaners.[6] Rivera credits the employee at the film development spot he frequented for explaining the mechanics of his camera to him after his initial pictures were coming out blank.[5] During his early pursuit of photography, Rivera did not have enough money to afford all the film he needed, which he credits with necessitating the development of his editing skills.[5] His first piece was a 1983 selection aimed at bringing life to the site in Mexico City where his step-grandfather was murdered.[2]

Rivera’s first professional gig when he entered his 20s was photographing live punk and rock music, such as performances by Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Sonic Youth.[6] He then transitioned to photographing drag bars, house parties, and queer clubs during the 1980s and 1990s.[6]

Works, exhibitions, projects, collections

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Notable works / selected works

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  • Tatiana Volty, 1986, Silverlake Lounge[7]
  • Anna LaCazio and Judy Pokonosky, 1989, Echo Park[8]
  • Elyse Regehr and Javier Orosco, 1989, Downtown LA
  • Miss Alex, 1992, Echo Park
  • Olga, 1992, La Plaza
  • Wes Cuttler, 1992, Echo Park[9]
  • Angela, 1993, La Plaza    
  • Gaby, Reynaldo and Angela, 1993, La Plaza
  • Laura, La Plaza, 1993[10]
  • Melissa and Gaby, 1993, La Plaza
  • Montenegro, 1995, Silverlake Lounge
  • Patron, 1995, Silverlake Lounge
  • Performer, 1995, Silverlake Lounge
  • Tina, 1995, Mugy’s
  • Vanessa, 1995, Silverlake Lounge[11]
  • Richard Villegas Jr., friend, and Enrique, 1996
  • Girls, 1997, El Conquistador[12]
  • La Plaza, 1997, La Plaza

Exhibitions, projects and collections

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References

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  1. ^ Wolf, Kate (2020-12-10). "The Vanishing Queer Underground of Los Angeles". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Glamorous World of LA's Vanished Queer Underground". Aperture. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  3. ^ a b "'We are not the footnote': In photos, Reynaldo Rivera evokes L.A.'s queer Latino bohemia". Los Angeles Times. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  4. ^ a b c d "Reynaldo Rivera | Hammer Museum". hammer.ucla.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  5. ^ a b c SSENSE (2021-04-12). "Reynaldo Rivera Is His Own Leading Lady". ssense. Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  6. ^ a b c Kraus, Chris (2020-12-15). "Reynaldo Rivera's Photographs of a Los Angeles That No Longer Exists". Hyperallergic. Archived from the original on 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  7. ^ "Reynaldo Rivera – Digital (NFTs) artworks by Reynaldo Rivera – Digital Basel". Digital Original. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  8. ^ "Anna LaCazio and Judy Pokonosky, Echo Park". www.moca.org. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  9. ^ "Reynaldo Rivera – Digital (NFTs) artworks by Reynaldo Rivera – Digital Basel". Digital Original. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  10. ^ "Reynaldo Rivera – Digital (NFTs) artworks by Reynaldo Rivera – Digital Basel". Digital Original. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  11. ^ "Reynaldo Rivera – Digital (NFTs) artworks by Reynaldo Rivera – Digital Basel". Digital Original. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  12. ^ "Reynaldo Rivera – Digital (NFTs) artworks by Reynaldo Rivera – Digital Basel". Digital Original. Retrieved 2024-04-05.