/ Site specific
Vogueing Renaissance
/ ToF, Urban Synesthesia:
And the category is…Freedom.
BRIEF
How can the concept of Freedom be translated into visual design within New York City? A site-specific project that aims to express the wonderful urban synesthesia of the big apple.
CONCEPT
Voguing Renaissance, a tribute to vogueing’s liberating spirit in the heart of Harlem, celebrating the artistic freedom of both the community and the city itself. Thanks to this site-specific project in New York, under the guidance of the SVA School of Visual Arts, I had the opportunity to amplify the authentic essence of the voguing community and showcase new forms and colors, bearing witness to a significant historical movement.
YEAR / 2023
TYPE / Personal
Harlem, located in the northern section of Manhattan, New York City, has long been a cultural hub and a vibrant center for African-American art, music, and dance. It emerged as a focal point for the voguing phenomenon, particularly in the 1970s. This unique expression style, characterized by its fluid, exaggerated movements and fierce poses, originated within the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene of Harlem. Vogueing served as both an artistic expression and a form of self-affirmation for marginalized communities, showcasing creativity, style, and resilience. Harlem’s rich history and dynamic energy continue to influence voguing culture worldwide, cementing its legacy as a cornerstone of urban dance and LGBTQ+ empowerment.
The sinuous and fluid shapes of the city itself are not just a sign of Harlem’s historical and cultural essence, but a true form of creative inspiration. Through the study of signs and shapes, a visual typographic character has been developed to tell a story: the historical freedom of Harlem’s voguing community.
“Tracks of Freedom – Urban Synaesthesia” is the theme launched for the 2023 edition of the project in coordination with SVA – School of Visual Arts in New York. An unparalleled opportunity for RUFA’s two-year students in the heart of the Big Apple. Find out more about this wonderful journey here