GAYLETTER

Live Nude Dancing is a collaborative film project by photographer Daniel Trese, choreographer Ryan Heffington and animator Johnny Woods. Live Nude Dancing is an extension of the acclaimed show KTCHN by Ryan Heffington that was commissioned by MOCAtv. This is a film project that explores ideas of celebrity culture, human loneliness, fashion shows, public vs private image and the new drag culture.

Live Nude Dancing shifts from absurd realities to fantasies on an extremely lavish, colourful, disorientating and chaotic stage that somewhat seems like a metaphorical wrestling ring. This short film also features the track Greedy Boy by Alex Black. We spoke to Daniel Trese about the piece.

Why is it called Live Nude Dancing when there is in fact no live nude dancing? Live Nude Dancing is what all the signs say above stripper bars here in LA, so I thought it was the perfect title for this file, as Gayle, the main character, actually partially ends up stripping in literal terms, but mainly ends up stripping his soul through the pimping and hustling involved in surviving celebrity

How did you and Ryan Heffington meet? Ryan and I first worked together when I photographed him for a special portfolio commissioned by Paco and Manolo for their magazine KINK based out of Barcelona. That was back in 2010, and we have been friends ever since. It was a really beautiful and intimate series shot in the Mojave Desert. I still have a print from that project above my dinning room table. We both live in Los Angeles and have done several projects together since.

Where did you grow up? I was born in Los Angeles and went to high school outside of Detroit. I moved to New York when I was 17 and then off to London for a bit. Though I have lived in Miami, Berlin, Paris, and a few other places I would say I spent my formative years in New York and London but only LA feels like home.

If you did, where did you study art/film/dance? How much has that influenced what you’re doing now? I think I am more influenced by people making things today than by any schooling I did however many years ago. I love the work of photographers Coke Bartrina and Fumiko Imano. I love what is happening in the independent publishing world. I love the community of artists here in LA currently.

David Lynch has stated that he begun making film out of an intense desire to have his paintings move; is Live Nude Dancing a really compelling example of a similar desire. Had Nolan Hendrickson ever expressed a similar want? How did his work end up being the core foundation of this film project? Yes, the film is based on a scene from Heffington’s dance performance KTCHN, which recently had a great run here in LA. Ryan came up with the idea for the show after seeing paintings by Nolan Hendrickson that inspired him, and that’s how KTCHN came about. After having seen it more than once, I thought MOCAtv would be the perfect platform to bring in another dimension through video.

What was the idea behind introducing a few short moments of an animated Hendrickson character? As Gayle takes on his public persona, we enter on-and-off dual realities narrated through Johnny Wood’s extraordinary animation. One follows his intrinsic experiences and submission to fame, and the other his determination to maintain his status. Success quickly turns into greed, taking over his famished personality and clouded ego.

I thought Alex Black’s work in this project was very significant and very successful  how did his involvement come about? How much direction did you give him? Alex is a very talented force here in LA. I have worked with him before and hope to again. In the context of this project, there were some critical restrictions in order to make the music seamless with the film.

Who are your favorite artists? At the moment, Tom of Finland, Carravagio, and Pancho Guedes.

What’s your preferred medium? Anything with a lens.

Is collaboration something that you’re particularly passionate about or is it merely an appropriate vehicle for your expression? I loved working with Ryan and was excited for the chance to work with Johnny. I really don’t know how not to collaborate. It is just a part of how I work as a photographer. When it’s a good collaboration, the dynamics enrich the work and can have unexpected results.

This is a very annoying question but if you had to define your aesthetic in a brief statement, what would that be? Rough.

How was it to work with MOCA? It’s kind of a huge deal, right? MOCA has been hugely supportive throughout this project. What MOCAtv is doing is groundbreaking in the museum world and I especially appreciate how they support independent projects such as ours.

Who is your favorite drag queen? I have one higher power and her name is RuPaul.

Is there any chance for a live performance of this piece? Well, it is based on a live performance — But I guess you mean with Alex’s music and Johnny’s animation? Yes, I hope so! KTCHN in its entirety is phenomenal. I really hope that people outside of LA get to see it.

Daniel Trese