Reynaldo Rivera on Mexicali, Drag Queens, and Documenting One's Own

Reynaldo Rivera, a photographer originally from Mexicali, Mexico, now residing in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, reflects on his inaugural hometown retrospective, 'Propiedad Privada' (Private Property). This exhibition took place at La Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, organized by the Instituto de Investigaciones Culturales-Museo (IIC-Museo) in partnership with Planta Libre. It showcased various works, including prints, VHS tapes, Polaroids, and his Rolleiflex camera. Rivera's journey into photography began when he discovered a 35mm Yashica among his father's possessions, learning from a Fotomat employee while capturing images of the Hotel St. Leo's manager's daughters. His art portrays East L.A.'s 'damp, slightly wilted glamsters,' such as drag performers and lovers. He likens his work to Brassaï's portrayal of Parisian dancehalls in the 1930s. A new monograph, also named 'Propiedad Privada,' has been released by Semiotext(e). Rivera highlights the significance of self-documentation within ethnic and queer communities, asserting, 'I made freaky people look normal,' and distinguishes his style from that of Graciela Iturbide, whom he critiques as 'kitschifying.' In an interview with Farrah Karapetian, he shares insights about his early employment in fields and canneries, his education from a used bookstore in Stockton, and his belief that the printing process constitutes half of the artistic endeavor.