帝国崛起 (Empire Rising)
Item
-
Title
-
帝国崛起 (Empire Rising)
-
Rights
-
Copyright Lauren YS
-
Type
-
StillImage
-
Creator
-
YS, Lauren
-
Date
-
2024
-
Description
-
Curatorial Statement:
The artist has selected themes to celebrate the history of theater as well as the historic Chinese-American community and LGBTQ+ contributions and presence in Downtown.
* The far left figure holds a scissor and thread: a nod to Perry Watkins, the first Black scenic designer on Broadway, who was from Providence. They are holding a fan with the Port Arthur logo, a Chinese restaurant and dancehall in downtown that was a pillar of the Asian community and a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community to meet and dance.
* Rich red curtains swooping behind the figures highlight PPAC, Trinity Repertory Theatre, and others that have existed throughout the years.
* Arches in the background are reminiscent of the Chinese Restaurants and Dancehalls that went hand in hand with the theater experience of the 50’s-80's where visitors would come for a day of shopping on Westminster, followed by dinner at a Chinese restaurant and a show at one of the many theaters. Dance Halls also served as unique performance venues with bands and other entertainment. (Also a nod to Trinity Rep's idea of non-traditional theater stages.)
* The two middle figures speak to the Chinatown which existed nearby and are based on Ancient Chinese Opera figures, the artist incorporating elements of modern Drag. The character’s robes reference various Asian communities and histories and one holds two playing cards; a reference to the Kings and Queens of the Drag community and a nod to the RI Bar "Kings & Queens" (1977-2002), which was the backbone of many community events.
* The figure on the far right references Providence’s long history with the LGBTQ+ community, harkening back to a theatergoer of the past and drawing on images of Francis "Auriema" Renault, a Drag Performer from Providence in 1910. The jewelry on this figure includes a reference to Beatrice Temkin, "A trailblazing lgbtq+ ally and founding member of AIDS Project RI", also a nod to the Beatrice Hotel namesake owned by Paolino Properties, the owner of the Snow St. building.
-
Description source
-
Format
-
image/jpeg
1650 × 699 pixels
-
Language
-
Chinese
English
-
Place
-
Providence, Rhode Island
40 Snow Street
-
Contributor
-
Photo by A. Cemal Ekin
-
Extent
-
393 KB
-
Identifier
-
105A4247-62-No-lens-correction-in-LR-PTGui
-
Relation
-
PVDFest Public Art
Paolino Properties
-
Subject
-
public art
mural paintings (visual works)
Chinese-American
AIDS activism
Allies
Asian LGBTQ+ people
Black LGBTQ+ people
Renault, Francis "Euremia"
Watkins, Perry
Drag
Drag community
LGBTQ+ arts
LGBTQ+ artists
BIPOC
Queer art
They/Them/Themself (Pronouns)
Multiracial LGBTQ+ people
-
Temporal Coverage
-
2024
帝国崛起 (Empire Rising)