In her new, self-published photography book series, Los Angeles-based photographer Kristin Gallegos highlights different subjects, each taking on a new person. The first book in the series, _Disappear Here: Series One_, releases today, April 7th, and showcases Cora Keegan as The Dancer. The book, limited to 100 signed and numbered copies, will be followed by three limited-edition prints of three images from the book.
The title of _Disappear Here_, inspired by the book _Less Than Zero_ by Bret Easton Ellis, shares the name of Gallegos first solo exhibition from 2017. _Flaunt_ got the opportunity to chat with Gallegos about the book, her characters, and what’s coming up in the future!
**What's the inspiration behind 'Disappear Here'?**
The title of this series is derived from one of my favorite books, _Less Than Zero_ by Bret Easton Ellis and was also the name of my first solo photography show in New York City in 2017. _Disappear Here_ is an ongoing theme for me. I like to create my own world in my work and invite the viewer to get lost in it.
The concept of this book series was originally sparked by one of my favorite photography books, _Cowboy Kate and Other Stories_ by Sam Haskins from the 60’s. I liked the idea of my muses taking on different characters. But I wanted to do it in my own way and for it to feel more cinematic. A day in the life of each character. There is also an element of isolation throughout the series that ties it together. Perhaps the pandemic had something to do with that. And each character was inspired by my own life, idols of mine, as well as my favorite films. This project is unlike any work I have done thus far.
The first in the series follows, The Dancer and it is an homage to my former life as a classical ballet dancer. Growing up I idolized dance legends like Gelsey Kirkland, Natalia Makarova, and Leslie Browne to name a few. And they served as inspiration for the character. It is from the 1977 film, _The Turning Point_ in which Browne stars that also drove the aesthetic for this book.
**How did you come to decide upon your muses and their characters?**
I came up with the characters I wanted to shoot first and then I cast each book accordingly! I’ve been wanting to shoot a ballet project for a while and I was living with Cora at the time. She just really looks like she was a dancer, even though she never was. She just has that quality. So that was a no brainer for me! I wanted to capture all the in between moments which is why I didn’t just shoot a professional dancer. I wanted it to feel more like film stills and less like a dance book.
I have been immersed in books and movies during the pandemic which I am sure most people have been as well. So it was easy to come up with a few strong female characters that I could tie together in a series. It was also a good excuse to do a personal project with some of my favorite people to shoot!
**Describe the series aesthetically?**
For _Series One_, I was inspired by one of my favorite movies of all time, _The Turning Point_, as I mentioned before. It starred legends Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine along with some of my favorite ballet dancers, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie Browne. I love the muted color palette in this film, as well as the overall aesthetic. Growing up I use to dress like the dancers in this movie. And I still have some of my dance wear from this time so that also played a part. I ended up reaching out to the company, M Stevens, which was my favorite dance wear back in the day and I got some amazing pieces to shoot for this.
**What's to come in future series?**
I want to keep the other installments of the series pretty secret until I am ready to release them, I think it’s more fun that way. But I will say that I shot the next one here in Los Angeles already and _Series Three_ will be shot soon in NYC, my former home of 15 years. Which I am pretty excited about! I eventually want to put them altogether into one larger hardcover book and get it published along with another photo show!
**How have you kept busy during the pandemic?**
I have kept very busy during the pandemic. This project was a big part of that. I am thankful that I had those first few months when I wasn’t working to be able to fully focus on what I wanted to do with this and to get the ball rolling. I also really stayed inspired and was able to do other smaller personal projects. I stayed as productive as I could, which is what kept me sane.
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