Reynaldo Rivera | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1964 |
| Known for | Photography, notably of Latinx culture |
Reynaldo Rivera (born 1964) is a photographer known for capturing historic queer, transgender, and predominantly Latinx scenes, such as clubs and house parties in late 20th-century Los Angeles. He photographed clubs including La Plaza, the Silverlake Lounge, Mugy’s, and Little Joy.[1] Rivera’s black and white photographs are known for their intimate documentation and focus on the everyday life and private moments of Latinx women, artists, and drag performers at the time.[2] Rivera considers this a type of activism against the forms cultural erasure that continuously inflicts these communities. Citing gentrification, violence, and a lack of public record-keeping as reasons that have led to their marginalization and erasure.[3] In this way, Rivera is known for bringing visibility to queer, Latinx-Angeleno history.[3]
Reynaldo Rivera was born in 1964 in Mexicali,[4] though he ended up moving between many places in the United States and Mexico growing up.[4] He now resides permanently in East Los Angeles, the site of the queer history he documents through his photos.[4]
Rivera's mother and father, both born in Mexico, met in Stockton. After his parents separated, Rivera oscillated between living with his mother and his father.[4] He navigated his childhood through various places, including Stockton, Pasadena, Mexicali, and Santa Ana, with his sister, Herminia.[5] Although most of Rivera's time was spent with his mother in Glendale, there were times when his father would take Rivera to reside with him.[2] Starting at the age of five, Rivera lived with his abusive grandmother, for four consecutive years after being kidnapped by his father.[2] Thereafter, Rivera's father would often bring him from Glendale to the San Jaoquin Valley, where Rivera was exposed to his father's illegal activities.[2] Rivera also had some run-ins with the law, such as when he was faced with charges in the sixth grade for selling drugs.[2]
Rivera cites photography as a way for him to find stability.[2] His first camera was a Pentax K1000.[2] He began his career by photographing hotel cleaners.[6] Rivera credits the employee at the film development spot he used for explaining the mechanics of his camera to him after his initial pictures were coming out blank.[5] During his early pursuit of photography, Rivera did not have enough money to afford all the film he needed, which he credits with necessitating the development of his editing skills.[5] His first piece was a 1983 selection aimed at bringing life to the site in Mexico City where his step-grandfather was murdered.[2]
Rivera’s first professional gig when he entered his 20s was photographing live punk and rock music, such as that performed by Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Sonic Youth.[6] He then transitioned to photographing drag bars, house parties, and queer clubs, especially in East Los Angeles, including La Plaza during the 1980s and 1990s.[6]