Join us for the opening reception of Loving You: Documenting Kia Lopez and Chella Man, a solo exhibition featuring the work of MaryV. MaryV is a 23-year-old photographer and performance artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Born and raised in Denver, Union Hall is thrilled to share MaryV’s first exhibition outside New York City. With a uniquely sensitive approach to her subjects, MaryV focuses on the documentation of self-identity, representation, bodies, intimacy, compassion, and self-love. Loving You is comprised of analog photography from two ongoing bodies of MaryV’s work, including images created as early as 2014. These bodies of work document the gender transitions of Kia Lopez (she/her), MaryV’s childhood friend, and Chella Man (he/him), her partner of over four years. Shared in this exhibition with Kia and Chella’s consent, the images depict some of their most deeply personal moments- their changing bodies, their biological and chosen families, and their struggles, pain, triumphs, and growth.

In addition to displaying projected photographs of Kia’s and Chella’s transitions and lives as queer individuals, Loving You includes a performance art piece conceptualized by MaryV as an act of solidarity. During the opening night of the exhibition MaryV will perform standing naked within a sculptural mirrored structure, in power, allegiance, and understanding; with, respect, love and support, for not only her subjects, but with the entire LGBTQIA+ community. Visitors will be welcome to spend 30 seconds in silence with MaryV inside the performance box, where mirrors on the walls inside provide a literal experience of reflection, surrounding them with reflections of themselves and of MaryV’s naked body. Through this shared experience, she prompts the viewer to analyze their own preconceived perceptions of nudity, vulnerability, and power.

This event is free and open to the public.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS EXHIBITION CONTAINS SENSITIVE IMAGES, MATURE CONTENT, AND NUDITY, AND ALL PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY IS PROHIBITED.

ACCESSIBILITY

Union Hall is located on the ground floor of The Coloradan- an accessible building. Both main doors to the building (Wewatta St. or 16th St.) are equipped with accessible door buttons. Please be aware that there is a ramp leading to Union Hall from the 16th St. door. If you have questions or need help accessing the building- feel free to contact info@unionhalldenver.com prior to the opening night so we can help to accommodate you!