Reynaldo Rivera
Born
1964

Known forPhotography, notably of Latinx culture

Reynaldo Rivera (born 1964) is a photographer known for capturing historic queer, transgender, predominantly Latinx scenes, such as clubs and house parties, in late 20th-century Los Angeles. Some of the clubs he photographed included La Plaza, the Silverlake Lounge, Mugy’s, and Little Joy.[1] Rivera’s black and white photographs are known for their intimate documentation and focus on the everyday life and private moments of Latinx women, artists, and drag performers at the time.[2] Rivera cites this as a type of activism since gentrification and a lack of public records of these individuals, many of whom die young due to violence, have led to the marginalization and erasure of these communities and cultures.[3] In this way, Rivera is known for bringing visibility to queer, Latinx-Angeleno history.[3]

Early life and career

Reynaldo Rivera was born in 1964 in Mexicali.[4] Although his birthplace was Mexicali, he proceeded to move between many places in the United States and Mexico growing up.[4] He now resides permanently in East Los Angeles, the site of the queer history he documents 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 Jaoquin 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 used for explaining the mechanics of his camera to him after his initial pictures were coming out blank.[5] During his early pursuit of photography, he did not have enough money to afford all the film he needed, which he credits with necessitating his development of 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 that performed by Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Sonic Youth.[6] From here, he transitioned to photographing drag bars, house parties, and queer clubs, especially in East Los Angeles, including La Plaza during the 1980s and 1990s.[6]

Works, exhibitions, projects, collections

Notable works / selected works

  • Tatiana Volty, 1986, Silverlake Lounge
  • Anna LaCazio and Judy Pokonosky, 1989, Echo Park
  • Elyse Regehr and Javier Orosco, 1989, Downtown LA
  • Miss Alex, 1992, Echo Park
  • Olga, 1992, La Plaza
  • Wes Cuttler, 1992, Echo Park
  • Angela, 1993, La Plaza    
  • Gaby, Reynaldo and Angela, 1993, La Plaza
  • Laura, La Plaza, 1993
  • 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
  • Richard Villegas Jr., friend, and Enrique, 1996
  • Girls, 1997, El Conquistador
  • La Plaza, 1997, La Plaza

Exhibitions, projects and collections

References

  1. Wolf, Kate (2020-12-10). "The Vanishing Queer Underground of Los Angeles". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Glamorous World of LA's Vanished Queer Underground". Aperture. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  3. 1 2 "'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. 1 2 3 4 "Reynaldo Rivera | Hammer Museum". hammer.ucla.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  5. 1 2 3 SSENSE (2021-04-12). "Reynaldo Rivera Is His Own Leading Lady". ssense. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Kraus, Chris (2020-12-15). "Reynaldo Rivera's Photographs of a Los Angeles That No Longer Exists". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
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