Object of the Day

"Kevin, State to State Ball, Harlem, NY, 1998"

June 21

Trinidadian-born photographer Gerard H. Gaskin has been capturing the world of ballroom culture with his lens for over 25 years. In this photograph, the camera focuses on Kevin, a participant in a Butch Queen Vogue Dramatics battle at the New York State to State Ball in Harlem.

Kevin, State to State Ball, Harlem, NY, 1998

Description
A black and white photographic print depicting Kevin competing in a Butch Queen Vogue Dramatics Battle at the State-to-State Ball held at the YMCA at 135th Street in Harlem, New York, in 1998. The camera is focused on Kevin's face as he and another individual dance and pose on the floor. Kevin is just to the left of center frame, kneeling with his proper left leg bent under him and his other leg extended, his weight supported by leaning with his proper left fingers on the floor. His right arm is bent at the elbow, his right hand is blurred in motion. His face is turned towards his competitor, who faces Kevin while leaning back on his forearms with his right leg extended upright into the air. A crowd of spectators are out of focus around the two competitors, some sitting and standing behind a table in the background and others kneeling and standing on the floor with them. There are no inscriptions, front or back.
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Photograph by
Gerard H. Gaskin, Trinidadian American, born 1965
Printed by
Light Work, American, founded 1973
Date
1998
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Medium
ink on Canson Baryta photographique paper
Dimensions
H x W (Sheet) : 16 × 20 in. (40.6 × 50.8 cm)
H x W (Image) : 12 9/16 × 19 in. (31.9 × 48.3 cm)
Type
inkjet prints