Conversation with Trajal Harrell about Twenty Looks to Paris Is Burning, Rio de Janeiro

[@PLENVMMVSIK]

I am confused. Seeing the excerpts of Trajal's solo that are available on KZbin and having assisted the Voguing classes that he has taken, I am of the opinion that his physical understanding of the vocabulary is not at the point where he is able to make statements about the dance. Voguing aims for the individual to bring the framework of the dance (so-called elements) to life in a very personal expression and has equal standing next to any other artistic expression.

[@PLENVMMVSIK]

To doubt its validity as an artistic movement seems to stem from a lack of caring to understand it. If that is the case, I would discourage Trajal to use Voguing as a figurehead. As somebody who is deeply invested in the culture that Voguing is, I am upset by that.