Student artists David Maldonado and Noah Reich pushed to the front of the crowd at a Lady Gaga concert.
“We have something for you!” they yelled to Gaga, who came over and accepted their gift: a collection of their photography, entitled “Reveries,” which she flipped through onstage and showed the crowd.
These dark, provocative photographs are now on view in the art gallery at Broad Art Center’s Untitled cafe. These 12 photos are the result of a collaboration between Maldonado and Reich, both fourth-year film students, and Chelsey Monroe, a fourth-year theater student.
The mixed-media exhibit explores how far four young women would go and how much of themselves they would sacrifice for their dreams. Some photographs contain etchings, while others are burned and melted. Across one woman’s face are the words “validate me.”
Maldonado said “Reveries” was partly inspired by the kidnapping of his cousin in Guatemala by members of a drug trafficking gang. He said he began to think about the tactics human traffickers use to lure people away from their lives, particularly by manipulating their desire for a better life.
“Reveries” will be in Untitled cafe through the end of finals week. It will also be displayed later in the month at Leimert Park Art Walk June 26.