My Taste in Men - March 21-25, 2011

My Taste in Men is a project by Onya Hogan-Finlay that maps a queer archive from the holdings of ONE National LGBT Archives. To see these works for yourself please visit ONE Archives at 909 West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles and make a contribution to our shared LGBT history.

Thank you for coming to The Gayle & Ed Roski Master of Fine Arts Gallery at USC in Los Angeles to celebrate the closing reception of My Taste in Me on March 25th, 2011 and for making the night a success!

These photos of the closing reception event  and installation shots of the exhibition are by Joshua White Photography, Byan Yen, as well as lifted from TryHarderBlogspot.com and courtesy Onya Hogan-Finlay.

Gathering for the walk-though of the exhibition lead by ONE Archivist, Loni Shibuyama and Art Collection Curator, Mia Locks as well as President, Joseph Hawkins.

 Viewing Homofile Industrial Complex and Reed Erickson vitrine displays, custom wallpaper and paintings (left) and peering into the archival installation (right).

Detail shots of archival installation with original protest placards (c. 1980s-1990s), photocopied reproductions of Vice-Versa (1947-1948), video (78:15 min) of Chuck Rowland interviewing Lisa Ben (editor of Vice-Versa) and artist/activist Donna Smith in 1988.

Video of All-American-Jewish-Lesbian-Folk Singer, Phranc (left) with her ukulele singing, "If you knew Susie (Like I know Susie)". This song was written in 1925 and previously performed by male impersonator, Miss Hetty King. JJ Levine (of Montreal, Quebec, CANADA) making L.A. look hot(ter) with her "Lesbian Haircuts for Everyone"! (right).

 

Behold, The Miracle Bookmobile sets-up shop outside the MFA building to redistribute and exchange used literature for your reading pleasure, for FREE. The Miracle always accepts new donations of all kinds of printed matter.

Viewing station for video of ONE Archivist, Michael C. Oliveira, presenting the Society for Pat Rocco Enlightened Enthusiasts (SPREE) scrap book (left). This giant felt banner, made by an unknown artist(s) circa 1990s is a reproduction of ONE Magazine's cover from May 1957 originally designed by Eve Elloree.

Owen Trainer by Gordon Pollack, 1993-1994 (painting on far left), Greg Lougani's Speedo (signed and framed), Amyl nitrate pill box by B. Bow, 1970 (box in pocket of blue jeans mounted on board), Abstract Fold #119 by Rick Herold, c. 1970s (painting), painting by unknown artist (painting of bursting heart with inscription “HARRY: I HOPE THAT THIS BIRTHDAY IS SO GREAT YOU SHIT YOURSELF”, Homage to Jean Genet by John Quitman Lynch, 1971 (painting on far right). Lougains's Speedo (detail, right).

 

The Many Lovers of G.I. Joe by Tomata du Plenty, 1991 (painting on far right), Marty's Party by Mel Wiken, 1978 (large painting in center), Morris Kight by Don Bachardy, 1992 and Ground Zero, 1969 by Paul Butler, 2000 (two paintings on far left). And, Vitrines of archival displays and paintings by John Quitman Lynch and others (right)

Self-Portrait by Jim Highland, 1951(painting on far left), Tom and Nat Johnson by John McAlister, both 1976 (center paintings) and Moon Walk by Alva Rogers, 1945 (far right). Paintings are installed against wallpaper with motif that illustrates excerpts from the biography of transender educator, philanthropist, and ONE Archives benefactor, Reed Erickson.

Lesbian Content Vitrene, curated display of early publications including WOMAN POWER T-shirt by Ivt Bottini, Dyke Sex Calendar 1990, Lesbian Concentrate (LP), issues of Hag Rag, Lesbian Tide, Onyx, Furies, The Ladder, ONE and Deneuve Magazines and more! Artist Sidney Bronstein's personal photos, drawings and correspondences with ONE (c. 1945-1955) in the Homofile Industrial Complex Vitrine (right).

Gay Wedding by Mel Wiken, 1979 (painting in foreground on far left). And, paintings with unknown titles, respectively, by Cerveny (painting on tan interior wall, date unknown), and Manning, 1984 (painting in foreground) above twin video viewing stations (right).

Title unknown by Wayne J. Fox, 1990 (painting on far left), Eddie Ayers by John McAlister, 1978 (painting in center) and a painting by an unknown artist (title and date also unknown) (far right). Fagots-Stay Out! from Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, c. 1985 (right).

THANK YOU

Co-Sponsors:

USC Libraries, Roski School of Fine Arts, GPSS, USC Lambda LGBT Alumni Association and the LGBT and Ally Resource Center of USC
The exhibition was shaped in collaboration with; Brooke Woosley, Shin Fujita, and Sarah T. Kang of We Are Matik design, Meredith Bayse, Phranc and The Miracle Bookmobile, with special consultation from architects Frank Escher and Ravi Gunewardena. Printing of custom designed wallpaper was generously donated by Astek Inc.
Warm thanks to my thesis committee members: Jack Halberstam, Bruce Hainley, Frances Stark, and Charlie White.
I would like to recognize ONE Archives Board Members, archivists and staff members: Joseph Hawkins, Tracy Moore, Thomas De Simone, Carol A. Grosvenor, Bud Thomas, Loni Shibuyama, Micheal C. Oliveira, David Mia Locks, Evans Frantz, and Susan McCullough for their contributions to this exhibition.
Special thanks to:
Linton, Courtney Dailey, Paige Gratland, Marty Windah, Samantha Roth, Leila Pourtavaf and Montreal de-install crew, DJ Lynne T, Jen Smith, Dwayne Moser and my fellow students in USC MFA classes of 2011 and 2012 for their elbow grease and feedback, 

and from the lifetime of encouragement from Mary Hogan-Finlay and Padraig Finlay!