Laganja Estranja is a work of art and a mesmerizing muse

One in every of our favourite (and busy) content-creating queens, Laganja Estranja, has taken us on tour together with her, happy our ears with some fierce music, together with “Hawt” and “Day by day Foundation,” and set the Drag Race runway on fireplace as a lip-sync murderer. Her ongoing internet sequence Muse Me takes us behind the scenes as Laganja and photographer Robert Hayman doc the creative collaboration between photographer and muse.

On the sequence, Robert and Laganja collaborate on seems to be that look luxe however usually price little or no to place collectively. Earlier themes have included feathers, crystals, and plastic. The pair additionally shoots guerilla type round Los Angeles and creates unforgettable photos. The sequence takes you thru the whole course of, from idea to wardrobe building and styling to the completed merchandise—all of that are worthy of an artwork gallery.

It is all the time nice to talk with Laganja, and this interview is not any completely different. Learn on as Laganja and Robert talk about the origins of the sequence, a few of their favourite shoots, and what’s subsequent for the muse and her gifted collaborator.

How did you provide you with the thought to do Muse Me? 

Robert: Effectively, we shoot on a regular basis. Jay is a muse of mine. I actually get pleasure from taking pictures her.  As a dancer, she’s an amazing topic. And so, for private work of mine, I’d say, Jay, let’s do one thing and we’d shoot quite a bit. And so, I simply determined after watching a photographer that I actually respect named Nick Knight, who has a present that is comparable the place he options fashions. I checked out that present and I am like, we should always try this.

Laganja: What’s fascinating about that present is that the photographer is asking the mannequin to speak about what they see behind the lens. We’re so used to seeing what the mannequin seems to be like from the entrance, proper? However we by no means get to reverse that and see what the mannequin is and what the mannequin goes via. I believe that was one other ingredient that we actually needed to focus on within the sequence is kind of flipping the script and displaying the viewers what all goes into creating that last picture that you just see and hopefully double faucet.

Robert: Lots of people love our photos and so they do not know how they have been made. And I all the time thought they’d be blown away in the event that they knew how we’re doing this as a result of we’re doing this nearly with like no cash in any respect. And we’re creating all of it ourselves – as you’ll be able to see should you watch the present. And so, I believe that that appeals to individuals in that approach which you can see behind the scenes and watch me make the garments from the thought, to taking pictures the garments, and then you definitely see the ultimate photos on the finish. 

Robert everyone knows about Laganja, however what’s your background?

Robert: I began once I was 16 years outdated. I painted quite a bit and I’d all the time paint ladies. I used to be very impressed by artists like Patrick Nagel, Mel Odom. So, I’d paint ladies. After which earlier than I grew to become a homosexual man, I used to be open to ladies. I had a girlfriend and requested me do her make-up. And I am like, I do not know the best way to do your make-up. And she or he’s like, simply do with what you do with the paints on the canvases and simply do it on my face. So, I did. After which we had a packet of Polaroids, 10 photos. And I took 10 photos, however they sucked – aside from the tenth one, the final image.  We each have been like, oh my God, that is so good. So, we began taking pictures and taking pictures.

I took 1000’s of images of my girlfriend. She was my first muse. After which individuals began asking me how a lot I charged, which I by no means even imagined getting paid for it after which it grew to become my job and my profession and my life.

While you do an episode, what is the inventive course of like? How do you provide you with an idea?

Robert: Effectively, I’ve an concept in my head. You are asking me, how do I get that concept?  Artists are impressed by a hummingbird flying throughout and so they go, ooh, that shade of inexperienced after which the inexperienced and the wings. After which perhaps I can flip that into blah, blah, blah. That is how concepts come, you realize, otherwise you’re impressed by different artists. I am usually very impressed by different photographers. As you’ll be able to see in all through the three seasons, you see me paying homage to many alternative artists – each painters and a variety of photographers. And so generally it is a shot I’ve already seen in an advert marketing campaign in 1986 that I’ve in my head and I need to reproduce, not copy, however sort of go in that course. Inspiration can are available a zillion other ways. So, it is actually onerous to reply that query.

Laganja: However generally it comes from a sure wig that I’ve or gloves that I’ve or a dressing up that I’ve simply gotten. I believe a variety of instances you’re taking that inspiration from different locations and then you definitely mix it with what we now have and that is kind of what creates the magic.

Between the 2 of you, do you could have a favourite episode?

Robert: Within the first episode we did one thing very uncommon – and it was this very intricate factor. I did not know if it might work. After which it labored so fantastically, and I used to be so happy. So, that is my second favourite. My favourite goes to be launched per week from tomorrow.

There is a sure shot particularly…we rented a room on the Mondrian resort, which is that this lovely resort in West Hollywood. It’s totally fashionable and funky and it doesn’t matter what room you get, there’s many picture alternatives within the room. I occurred to have the ability to procure a male mannequin who was very well-known within the nineties, Tony Ward. He dated Madonna. He was the star of her “Justify My Love” video and was in her “Cherish” video. I’ve needed to {photograph} this man for a really very long time after which I bought my probability.

I arrange the digital camera and taped it down so it would not transfer as a result of tripods will shake. I do not like utilizing tripods. After which I’d place him all all through the room in several equipment after which I did the identical factor with Laganja. Then I mixed all of them in a montage, so it seems to be like one image. And there is, so there’s like many Laganjas and plenty of Tonys. That is my favourite image. That image I simply did is my favourite shot we have ever executed. I simply find it irresistible.

Laganja: Effectively, my favourite episode I believe needs to be from this season once we went to Vasquez Rocks, simply because it was so loopy. I used to be in six-inch pumps, climbing up a mountain. Then the subsequent shot, he is placing feathers in my hair and we see this random individual’s stagecoach exterior their home and we stopped and we bought to shoot there and it was simply so loopy and excessive with my seems to be and the entire ambiance. I believe that for me actually stands proud in my thoughts.

After which if I needed to say my favourite photographs, I truthfully suppose it is the shot that he bought of me and my iconic All Stars season six outfit out in entrance of Caesar’s Palace. That was additionally a very enjoyable episode as a result of we have been once more, doing it guerrilla type, which is one thing we do usually the place we shoot in public and not using a allow. So, it was slightly bit scary, however I simply suppose that picture…you realize, so many individuals have shot me and have photographed me in that outfit. I really like everybody’s interpretation, however I felt Robert’s simply was actually elevated in a approach that no different photographer was in a position to seize.

I felt prefer it’s simply a picture that I believe will stay on for a very very long time. I am getting emotional. I simply suppose it is actually particular as a result of that was such an enormous second in my profession, so to have it captured in a approach that is not simply on a white backdrop, however that’s fascinating and thrilling and creative and has this superb story behind it – and, after all, a video to go along with it I believe is admittedly particular.

Is there something that you have not executed but that you just nonetheless need to? Do you could have a want checklist? 

Robert: Yeah, completely. I imply, pay attention, I’ve had many muses in my life, actually I’ve had, I would say seven or eight fashions that I’ve photographed constantly, however by no means have I shot as many alternative ideas as Laganja.

Laganja: We predict we have executed over 100 picture shoots simply.  We do not suppose there’s any photographer that is ever shot a drag mannequin as a lot as the 2 of us have labored collectively.

Robert: We undoubtedly plan on placing a ebook collectively sooner or later.

Laganja: Sure. In truth, everybody this season is like, the place’s the ebook?

Robert: In truth, simply an hour in the past, I had somebody attain out via Instagram wanting a print. I promote a variety of prints. My photos – fortunately and thank God – have been beginning to be collected by individuals and it is actually nice. And what’s cool about when somebody buys certainly one of my photos from Muse Me is that there it’s on the wall and if certainly one of their company say, oh, I really like that shot, they’ll say nicely, look, you need to watch the way it was made? As a result of there’s an episode geared round that image. You may watch it being made, which is sort of cool.

Is there nonetheless a photograph that you’ve got fantasized about taking?

Robert: I’d like to shoot Laganja on prime of the Eiffel Tower. It might solely make a journey to Paris and, you realize, we now have locations to remain when we now have pals that we might stick with. I imply, these items are potential.

Laganja: We undoubtedly need to journey extra. That is one thing that we’ve not actually gotten to do. Most of our photographs – nicely, all of our photographs, aside from Vegas that I can consider, have been shot in California as a result of we do not have the price range to journey. It is all self-produced. I’ve self-produced this whole season. We did all the episodes for $2,500. Every episode relies upon. Some episodes are free. Some episodes are $200. Some episodes are $500. It simply sort of relies upon. 

Robert: The five hundred ones are very uncommon.

Laganja: Effectively, that was the Mondrian as a result of we needed to pay for the room.

Robert: Most magazines, in the event that they have been to be creating these photographs would spend $50,000 at the least, actually, and there is a gigantic staff of individuals. There is a make-up artist, there is a stylist, there’s 5 assistants, there’s all these individuals, whereas our shoots are very intimate. It is typically three to 4 individuals tops. And, like we have stated, it is naked price range, simply do it your self. And I believe that is been inspiring a variety of creatives on the market. In truth, we have been instructed I have been taking photos now as a result of Muse Me and I see what you do. It is actually cool to know that we have impressed a bunch of individuals.

Laganja: However, we want a price range and that is the factor we wish to do is with the price range is journey or go to extra unique areas. It is not a problem for us to provide you with new concepts. That is one thing we do. We had a bunch, even for this season, that we did not get to do like taking pictures on the Getty, we needed to do Getty and robes, completely different robes on the Getty Villa or on the authentic Getty Museum. There are undoubtedly a variety of issues that, like I stated, when and if season 4 occurs, we now have loads of concepts. That is by no means a problem.

You have executed a lot so little, budget-wise. You’ve created such lovely photos.

Laganja: I believe that is what I discover so inspiring about Robert too, is that he actually has a approach of taking…for instance, when Robert and I did our very first shoot – which isn’t documented on Muse Me, sadly – he took plastic forks and took off the perimeters of the forks and put them on my fingernails to create extensions of fingernails.

He has this means to take a look at one thing that we see day-after-day and to make use of it in an progressive approach. And I believe that that is likely one of the explanation why he is so distinctive as a inventive. You do not see that always, you realize, most individuals are used to huge budgets and getting these customized claws, however he’ll make it out of no matter he has at his fingertips.

Lajanga, has there ever been one thing that Robert requested you to try this you are like, no, that is simply not one thing that I’d not do, otherwise you simply belief him utterly together with your picture? 

Laganja: Not but! No, I all the time belief him. I imply, there’s undoubtedly stuff the place I am like, do I’ve to? Are you positive you actually need to try this? The factor that involves thoughts, which I imagine “Daddy” was a Muse Me particular, proper?

Robert: Yeah.

Laganja: In “Daddy”, my music video, which Robert directed, we did 13 seems to be. One of many seems to be was in a pool of pink milk. It was shot late at evening when it was freezing chilly. That one was fairly powerful. I am not gonna lie. However much more so, it was powerful as a result of it was a video. It wasn’t only a image that I needed to pose for. It was like a full-on part of the music video that I needed to get via. In order that was fairly tough. However in the end, I am a daredevil. I need to go for the shot. I do belief him utterly and I do know that he would not steer me in a course that is not going to create one thing that’s iconic.

Robert: The very best artwork is created when individuals are slightly fearless. I hate to say this as a result of it could be a really conceited comparability, however I do not care. The connection that Steven Meisel had with Linda Evangelista is similar to our relationship. Linda would do something for Steven as a result of she knew he was going to take a cool image. And it is the identical right here. Jay will do something. And I typically by no means ask her to do something that I would not do myself.

Laganja: Effectively, climb a mountain in stilettos. I do not suppose we will say anything. 

Robert: You realize, I imply, I did not must, however should you had stated, I will do it should you do it, I’d have executed it.  I imply, I’ve a few well being issues proper now that will stop me from climbing that mountain. However realistically, I am by no means going to ask her to really actually put herself in peril…until the image was value it (laughs)!

You alluded to placing out a ebook. Would you ever need to take into account doing a gallery present and taking these photos on the street so that everybody can get pleasure from them?

Robert: In fact, I dream of this. In truth, not solely have we thought of it, however we all know what we do. I can see it in my head. I need 30 iPads in two rows, 15 on every row. In entrance of the iPads are two to 3 blow ups from the episode and I need the episode on loop on the iPad, so individuals will have the ability to choose up the headphones, pay attention and watch these photos being made and there will be 30 of them. It might be very spectacular.

Laganja: And one thing that Robert all the time does too, when he reveals his work as an set up artwork piece…we truly did a efficiency artwork piece. We did one final yr on the artistry right here in West Hollywood, which is an area dispensary and a hashish lounge. On the highest flooring Robert had a gallery of all of his photos and to have fun that, we did a stay artwork set up piece the place he pulled individuals up from the viewers to get in glam and be part of the second. It was so cool and I believe it It is just a bit style of what’s to return. 

What’s subsequent for each of you? 

Laganja: Effectively, I am nonetheless engaged on my music. I am nonetheless making an attempt to get this dang album out. However proper now, I am actually targeted on my transition. I am having surgical procedure on September seventh. This will probably be my first gender affirming surgical procedure with Dr. Rosenberg right here in Beverly Hills. And I am truly going to be documenting the method. I am engaged on a documentary referred to as Honoring Her. In order that’ll be sort of following me all through the surgical procedure and every little thing that comes earlier than and after, in addition to that includes my story that sort of leads as much as that.

And I am additionally engaged on a ebook referred to as Honoring Him, which is all about my childhood and, and the way I kind of grew up in Texas and what led to this choice of mine to return out as trans about three years in the past. So these are my two principal focuses proper now. After which I am occurring tour in November referred to as the Physique Reveals tour, after all, to have fun the surgical procedure and every little thing that I’ll have, you realize, gone via the months of September and October.

Robert: I’m engaged on an artwork set up piece that I have been engaged on for a couple of years now. It should be the biggest Holocaust associated artwork set up that is ever been executed – particularly from somebody who’s non-Jewish. Principally, it is 5 rooms. It is an immersive artwork set up expertise and we’ll in all probability be premiering it in New York. And we’re undoubtedly, such as you stated, engaged on a ebook for positive.

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