Disclosure: VHS portraits

Local artist Steven Audia has created a series of VHS portraits to be featured at his art show, Disclosure, Dec 14. The series is made up of candid interviews with his subjects about “partying, drugs, sexuality, relationships, internet culture, personal image, and independence.” The result is funny, moving and insightful.

About the project, he says:

When I did the first of these videos I didn’t really know where I wanted to go with it conceptually. However, after the third video of Sydney sobbing I realized there was the potential to create something much more than just a pretty sequence of images. When I was editing the footage I started to notice peoples eye movements, and little nervous ticks, like hair twirling, pulling on ears, or rubbing hands together. Some people liked to look right at the camera, others seemed intimidated by it and constantly looked away. What interests me the most is capturing moments, statements, and feelings that are especially relatable to the people in my generation. Topics like partying, drugs, sexuality, relationships, internet culture, personal image, money, and independence. These are all things I have been trying to capture in my photographs since I began taking pictures. What makes theses videos so unique are the people’s voices, opinions, and movements; things that can never be conveyed through a still photographic portrait. That’s why using video technology to create these living portraits has become more appealing for me as the artist.

Marcus from Steven Audia on Vimeo.

Matisse from Steven Audia on Vimeo.

For more VHS portraits, check out Steven’s website, Substance Devotion, and his show at RGB Gallery, 2026 Wall St, on Friday, Dec 14 from 7-11pm.

Keep Reading

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean soundtracked my two earliest—and most devastating—romances

“Blonde” and “channel ORANGE” both came out during pivotal moments in my queer awakening. A decade later, how can I listen to them without breaking my heart? 
The cast of Canada's Drag Race All Stars

‘Canada’s Drag Race All Stars’ finale recap: The first Canadian ‘All Stars’ champion is …

A Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown delivers goops and gags before crowning one queen
Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin), Maple (Mabel Strachan), Oona (Bo Bragason) and Ramona (Amélie Hoeferle) shout in a scene in Sterling Point.

Even in the idyllic queer world of ‘Sterling Point,’ whiteness is front and centre

The Muskoka-set series glosses over the racism of Canada’s cottage country
Cover of the book "Unsafe"

‘Unsafe’ challenges us to handle anti-trans backlash differently

S. Lamble’s debut argues that punishment makes anti-trans activists double down on their hate
Advertisement