Back Stage NYC - Catherine Hourihan
Catherine Hourihan's photos take a naughty peak behind the scenes of New York's neo-burlesque scene. By Rhiannon Elston
Ever wondered what happens backstage at burlesque shows? Us too. If you're thinking it's all feathers, nipple tassles and full-on nudey bits, you're spot on. Bondi's Catherine Hourihan - aka Selena Vixen - has seen it all, having been there at the very start of the neo-burlesque movement in New York 10 years ago. Her series of intimate behind-the-scenes portraits, Back Stage NYC!, captures a collision of real life and make-believe that you'll never see on stage.
You're a burlesque dancer first of all. What made you decide to pick up a camera? I wanted to document what I was experiencing in New York: all the amazing backstage antics, the life that I was living. Before I started dancing I studied photography and film-making.
How did you address nudity behind the scenes? I was pretty careful not to make my photographs all about nudity. In most of the photos, the girls are dressed, or semi-dressed. It's more about capturing the ambience of the backstage area and their authentic moments when they interact with each other as opposed
to posing for the camera.
How long have you been doing burlesque? I produced one of the first neo-burlesques in New York City in 1998. It was called the Red Vixen Burl. I started doing it because I hoped to make money from it, but it didn't end up being that lucrative!
Do you have a signature act? I do! It's called the Unknown Lady, which is an 18th Century number with a big white wig, and I do it to Pachelbel's Canon. It's very naughty and dirty but done in a really elegant way.
Why did you get into burlesque? To show that women can be sexy and strong at the same time. It's also a way of making statements about society and politics. I was living in New York when the war in Iraq started, and if you've got a room full of people in front of you, you might as well say something about that.
How did you do that in a burlesque? I dressed up as an android, coming out to this loud techno music, doing these robotic movements, and then the music changed to Donna Summer's Love to Love. That's when I did the striptease and went very sensual. At the end I had peace-sign pasties on - those little things you stick over your nipples - so I was making the statement to ‘make love, not war'.
How close is burlesque to stripping? It doesn't take place in strip clubs, so the audience is very different - there are a lot of women there for example. They're going to be entertained, rather than buy a lap dance or get a cheap thrill.
Details: Back Stage NYC!