subject: Kalup Linzy London Frieze Out? By Rachel Corbett [print this page] Brits like to say that Americans dont understand irony. Maybe thats true. But then Brits dont understand the singular American
obsession with black-drag-queen humor -- or so it would seem, at least, from the audiences largely wooden reaction to Kalup Linzys
performance as a honey-haired, salty-tongued soul singer at Londons Saatchi Gallery, Oct. 14, 2011.
Dressed in a southwestern-patterned vest, a tulle skirt and a flat-ironed blonde wig, the bearded performance and video artist
crooned about men who are assholes, using dirty drinks to get laid and dropping it like its hot.
The events organizer, secondary-market dealer George Annin, said hes been a fan of Linzys for years and emailed the Brooklyn-based
artist out of the blue to propose the show. Linzy's performance was part of a preview for LAperu, a group show organized by Annin
that is slated to bow sometime in 2012. Annin said he thought that it was time for Londoners to get to know Linzy as well as New
Yorkers did, so he flew Linzy out for the performance timed with the Frieze Art Fair, Oct. 13-16, 2011.
But after Linzy finally emerged from his dressing room (i.e. the bathroom) that evening -- about an hour late -- the crowd, many of
whom said theyd never heard of the artist, held out for maybe 10 more minutes before returning to their conversations. By mid-set,
most of the 100 or so guests had left -- typical behavior, one supposes, for many a Vegas lounge act.
The two-dozen who remained, however, were enrapt. A woman in the front who said she first saw Linzy perform in New York in 2009
pointed out, This crowd just doesnt get it. Someone behind me actually said, I think hes gay. She paused to twist her face into
stupefaction. Um, yeah, hes a drag queen!
I used to think London didnt feel me at all, said Linzy post-show, aboard a double-decker bus headed to the after-party at Amy
Sacco's London version of Bungalow 8. But I knew it was going to be different here so I cant worry anymore about whether they
stayed or left. And he didnt mind that those who stuck around were so openly amused. Im not offended. In New York, people would
classify that as rude. But, culturally, British people are very direct, so it was probably really funny to them. They also really
like dirty language, he added.
For his fans, Linzys melodramatic female archetypes amount to more than mere parody or camp -- they have a sense of earnest
empowerment, and whether the reference is minstrel shows, soul singers or soap operas, Linzy refuses to embody any singular identity
or esthetic category. Yet as his subversion of sexuality and gender norms becomes a given, Linzy seems to be transitioning out of a
man playing his usual divas --Katonya, Labisha and Taiwan -- into a kind of third space thats more just Kalup Linzy.
He retired his most famous alter ego, Taiwan, in Spain in February. Hes said hes gradually grown apart from some of the characters.
I dont actually identify as a drag queen, he said. Nonetheless, hes planning to bring Taiwan back soon as a newlywed, married to
a man who cant perform. I just cant retire the songs, so shell return, but changed and a little lost.
