Olympe : Mehdi Sotot : Drag The Line

Drag Beyond the Glitter: ⁤A Raw Look Inside Drag Through Mehdi Sotot’s Lens

Mehdi Sotot’s exhibition “Drag The line,” currently captivating audiences at Olympe Gallery in Paris until February 20,2025,delves into the captivating world of drag. it’s a journey that transcends the shimmering facade, revealing the profound humanity and artistry that lie at its heart.

Drawn to drag’s raw energy and subversive nature,Sotot embarked on a quest to understand this multifaceted art form on a deeper level. His evocative photographs, displayed at 37 rue Hoche ⁤93500 Pantin, challenge preconceived notions and invite viewers to connect with the artists who bring the dazzling personas to life.

“I come from the suburbs of Saint-Denis in the Ile de France, where my reputation has more than once crossed borders for bad reasons,” Sotot explains. “I have always felt excluded from society, a sentiment that fueled my desire to explore the fringes, the unseen, the misunderstood.”

Sotot’s captivation with drag stemmed from its unique position within society, together embraced and condemned. He recognized it as an art form demanding not only creativity but also immense courage, vulnerability, and artistry. Driven by a deep respect for these performers, Sotot immersed himself in their world, spending countless hours backstage, witnessing their transformations, observing their emotional journeys, and listening intently to their stories.

“As a straight man, I navigated LGBTQIA+ art like a boat on a new sea.Before moving on to photography,I wanted to understand these artists,their functioning,their values,as well as their different emotional stages before and after a show in order to show them my respect and the value they had in my eyes,” Sotot shares.

Through his lens,Sotot strives to dismantle the perception of drag as superficial entertainment. His photographs, imbued with both tenderness and poignancy, capture the complex emotions, the human connection, and the raw artistry that define this transformative art form.

Drag Beyond the Glitter: A Conversation with Photographer Mehdi Sotot

Mehdi Sotot’s captivating exhibition, “Drag The Line,” currently on display at Olympe Gallery in Paris until February 20, 2025, takes us on a journey deeper than the surface glamor of drag, revealing the raw humanity at its core. Sotot, drawn to the art form’s rebellious spirit and societal defiance, sought to understand drag on a more profound level. His powerful photographs, showcased at 37 rue Hoche 93500 Pantin, challenge conventional perceptions and encourage viewers to connect with the artists behind the dazzling facades.

Sotot’s artistic vision challenges the stereotypes often associated with drag. “The characters of the Drag scene are frequently enough perceived as chimerical beings, defying norms and creativity. Women and men like you will never meet anywhere else. A kind of Freak Show that makes some people salivate and for others, disgusts them,” he observes.

His lens peels away the layers of makeup and extravagant costumes, exposing the vulnerability and emotional depth beneath. Sotot’s approach transcends conventional beauty standards,showcasing the beauty in imperfection,the strength in vulnerability,and the shared humanity that binds us. He explains, “I don’t just capture figures, I seek to humanize these characters, to capture the intensity of their inner emotions. I break the visual codes of drag: the radiant color, the perfect smoothing of the skin, the erasure of imperfections… and stage the Drag characters in a natural surroundings to reveal a rawer truth, the human that exists in them.”

“Drag The Line” serves as a powerful reminder that beneath the glitter and glamour, drag artists are complex individuals deserving of respect, understanding, and recognition. Sotot’s photographs invite us to see beyond the surface, to connect with the raw humanity that fuels this vibrant art form.

Beyond the Glitter: Exploring Drag’s Vulnerability and Humanity

Drag, with its vibrant colors, extravagant costumes, and captivating performances, often evokes images of larger-than-life personas. Photographer Mehdi Sotot, however, delves deeper, stripping away the layers of artifice to reveal the raw vulnerability and authenticty beneath. Sotot’s exhibition, “Drag The Line,” challenges viewers to see drag artists not as caricatures but as complex individuals deserving of respect and understanding.

In his photographs, Sotot intentionally breaks visual codes. He features drag performers in natural settings, juxtaposing their flamboyant attire with everyday surroundings. “I aimed to humanize these characters, to capture the intensity of their inner emotions,” he explains. “Drag performers are often perceived as caricatures, but I wanted to showcase their humanity.”

Recognizing the importance of sensitivity and respect, Sotot immersed himself in the world of drag before picking up his camera. “I navigated LGBTQIA+ art like a boat on a new sea,” he describes. “Before moving on to photography, I wanted to understand these artists, their functioning, their values, and their emotional stages before and after a show. I sought to demonstrate my respect and thankfulness for their art and the power they possess.”

Sotot’s goal is for viewers to see beyond the glitter and glamour to appreciate the transformative power of drag.”I hope viewers see beyond the glitter and glamour. Drag artists are complex individuals deserving of respect, understanding, and recognition,” he says. “My photographs are an invitation to connect with their raw humanity and appreciate the transformative power of this vibrant art form. They challenge conventional beauty standards, revealing the beauty in imperfection, strength in vulnerability, and the global human experience we all share.”

Drag, at its core, challenges societal norms and celebrates individuality. “Drag challenges societal norms and celebrates individuality,” emphasizes Sotot. “it’s a powerful testament to human resilience, creativity, and the right to express oneself authentically.”

How did Mehdi Sotot’s photographic approach aim to dismantle preconceived notions about drag?

Drag Beyond the Glitter: A conversation with Mehdi Sotot

mehdi Sotot’s captivating exhibition, “Drag The Line,” currently on display at Olympe Gallery in Paris until February 20, 2025, takes us on a journey deeper than the surface glamor of drag, revealing the raw humanity at it’s core. Sotot, drawn to the art form’s rebellious spirit and societal defiance, sought to understand drag on a more profound level. His powerful photographs, showcased at 37 rue Hoche 93500 Pantin, challenge conventional perceptions and encourage viewers to connect with the artists behind the dazzling facades.

In this conversation, we delve into Sotot’s artistic process, his motivations for exploring the world of drag, and what he hopes viewers take away from his exhibition.

What drew you to this world of drag, Mehdi?

The vibrant energy, the audacity, the sheer joyous defiance of norms – that’s what initially captivated me. Drag is a world of transformative rebellion, a space where individuals boldly challenge societal expectations. As someone who’s always felt a kinship with the marginalized and misunderstood, I was drawn to this community’s unadulterated embrace of self-expression.

Your photographs move beyond the glitter and glamour, revealing a sense of vulnerability and raw emotion. Can you tell us about your photographic approach?

Absolutely. My approach was intentional. I wanted to capture not just the external beauty but also the deep emotions that fuel these transformations.To dismantle those preconceived notions, I placed my drag subjects in natural settings, juxtaposing their flamboyant attire with everyday surroundings. I aimed to humanize these characters, to capture the intensity of their inner emotions.

what was it like immersing yourself in this community, understanding their culture, their values, and their emotional journeys?

it was an amazing journey, both challenging and rewarding.Navigating a world so different from my own was like being on a new sea, exploring uncharted territory. I spent countless hours backstage, witnessing their transformations, observing their emotional journeys before and after shows, and just listening to their stories. Their resilience, their vulnerability, their artistry – it all deeply resonated with me. I wanted to portray them with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Looking at your photographs, it’s evident that you’ve captured something truly special. What message do you hope viewers take away from “Drag The Line”?

“Drag The Line” is an invitation to see beyond the glitter and glamour, to connect with the raw humanity that fuels this vibrant art form. I hope viewers see these artists not as caricatures but as complex individuals deserving of respect and understanding.They challenge conventional beauty standards, revealing the beauty in imperfection, strength in vulnerability, and the global human experience we all share.