Tom Of Finland Arts and Culture Fair 2015
 |
| TOF Art Fair Program photographed by Alton DuLaney October 2015 |
This past weekend, the Tom Of Finland Foundation hosted its 21st annual
Arts and Culture Fair at the Tom House in Los Angeles. Tom Of Finland,
known as the "world's most famous pornographer", lived and worked out of
a rambling craftsman-style house for the last 20 years of his life. In
the mid 80's he started a foundation to help promote and preserve queer
and erotic art, which included this annual fair, as well as many other
cultural outreach initiatives. What started as a fringe movement has
gradually became mainstream, with Tom Of Finland's work now in the
collection of major art institutions including MOMA, LACMA, MOCA, The
Getty, as well as numerous other private and public collections.
The art fair has grown and evolved over the years, dropping the word
"erotic" and adding the word "culture" and this year featured over 30
artists from around the world.
 |
| Alton DuLaney photographs at the TOF Art Fair in Los Angeles October 2015 |
Among the artists presenting their work were photographers, painters,
sketch artists, filmmakers, writers, performers, and poets - including
the recently appointed Poet Laureate of West Hollywood - Steven Reigns.
Artists exhibited their work within the sprawling compound in tents and
pavilions across the estate and terraces. My space was in the back
pavilion near the main stage, and had a beautiful view out across the
hills of the Hollywood sign.
 |
| Alton DuLaney photograph of Michael James at the Tom Of Finland Arts and Culture Fair Oct 2-4, 2015. |
The foundation did an excellent job of promoting the event on social
media and in local press. The event started Friday evening with a film
screening, and went throughout the weekend events all day.
 |
| Gio Black Peter at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2015 |
One of the artist I was most excited to meet was Gio Black Peter
from NYC. He is an urban artist who got his start painting on subway
maps and other found materials. In 2011 cult director and producer Bruce
La Bruce directed a short video for Gio, helping to propel his career.
Now Gio shows his work across the country, and performs regularly in
clubs and galleries in NYC.
 |
| The History of Queer Photography at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015 | |
One of the most captivating exhibits was a history of queer photography
shown in vintage photos and tin types, presented in a beautiful display
case with a magnifying glass provided for a more intimate viewing. This
really felt special and important, and gave a personal face and glimpse
into the lives of pioneering men and women who faced enormous challenges
in expressing their true selves. Picking up the magnifying glass, and
peering into this case, was like looking into the past, providing a
appreciative perspective on the present and even more hope for the
future.
 |
| Drawing workshop at TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-4, 2015. |
In addition to the exhibiting artists, there was also a drawing
workshop in session both days with live nude models. Artists were
invited to bring their sketchbook and attempt their own masterpiece.
 |
| Dungeon performance at TOF Arts Fair in LA October 2-4, 2015. |
Performances were also a big part of the fair including endurance
performances in the dungeon, and other entertainers, readers and
speakers on the two stages.
 |
| Jordan performing at the TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-4, 2015 |
Perhaps the most riveting performance was when LA performance artist
Jordan was joined on stage by two men in full leather who assisted with a
'golden shower' scene for the finale of the piece.
 |
| Starrfucker Magazine at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015 |
The culture element of the festival was perhaps most enlightening as it
showed what a wide influence Tom Of Finland has had on culture over the
decades. There were several authors and publishers on hand, inlcuding
the fetish magazine STARRFUCKER, which drew a large crowd of models and
artists hoping to get published.
 |
| Tom Of Finland biography by E. Valentine Hooven III |
One author who was great to meet and chat with was E. Valentine Hooven
III who wrote the very first authorized
Biography of Tom Of Finland .
Having read this book, and gifted it to many friends, it was a pleasure
to finally meet the man behind the words. He was a kind and generous
speaker who encouraged mentoring among his older peers, and community
outreach among his younger fans.
 |
| Rick Castro at the TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-5, 2015 |
There were also lifetime achievement awards presented to key members of
the arts community including Rick Castro. A lifelong LA resident, Castro
was co-producer and co-director of the cult classic "Hustler White" and
now runs a successful gallery in Hollywood called Antebellum Gallery
which promotes queer/erotic/fetish artists.
 |
| TOF Boutique at the TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-4, 2015. |
In addition to art, the Tom Of Finland image and brand is also now used
on a wide variety of products, on everything from
French perfume to
Finish postage stamps, to Italian rugs, to American condoms, sex toys and
lube. Above is a
shot from the TOF boutique, showing just a small selection of the
offerings.
 |
| Durk Dehner at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015 |
It was a great honor to be a part of the festival, being invited to stay
at the foundation, and seeing the work involved in organizing an event
on this scale. The work starts long before the guests arrive and ends
long after the curtain is drawn. On Monday morning, after three action
packed days, those of us at the foundation were still on site cleaning
up and breaking down. Never one to shy away from getting his hands
dirty, TOFF Founder Durk Dehner shows that the staff at TOFF do whatever
it takes to get the job done.
 |
| Aldo, the Tom Of Finland mascot, at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015 |
It was a rewarding and exhausting arts fair for all involved. The
foundation chose 5 of my photographs to add to their archives and warmly
invited me back for future events. After 6 days in LA, I packed my
bags, grabbed my dog Aldo, and headed to the airport for a late flight
back to Texas.
For more info on this or other Tom Of Finland events, check out their
website, sign up for the newsletter, and when in LA, volunteer!
http://www.worldoftomoffinland.com/tomsblog/?p=16323
