Prints acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from the Alex Katz Foundation.
“Two Male Dancers” “Lollipop” “Corona” and “Brad”
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BALLERINO BY DAVID-SIMON DAYAN / FLAUNT MAGAZINE
Series spotlight and interview with Flaunt Magazine.
David-Simon Dayan, the twenty-four-year-old Los Angeles-based artist, utilizes vulnerability from the kinetic rawness of male ballet dancers as the focal point of his latest exhibition entitled ‘Ballerino.’ Known for his intimate black and white portraiture of the queer identity and experience, David-Simon Dayan has made it his mission to imprint his view of the male identity onto strips of silver analogue. His project first started as a response to Robert Mapplethorpe’s work on the human disposition, but instead transformed into his own narrative on the current state of the male identity. Dayan conducts a visual study on the societal constructions of what it means to be one’s own entity, transcending the preconceived notions on gender and identity.
Dayan’s ‘Ballerino’ opens the conversation on the ever-changing male identity in order to redefine the expectations of men and to eclipse the limitations placed on them. With his latest collection of 35mm photographs, Dayan captures a single millisecond that has an everlasting impression on the way society gazes at men that radiates tendrils of tenderness, vulnerability, and elegance. While there are no formal terms for a male ballet dancer, Dayan uses this as an avenue to explore this hole in inclusivity and acceptance. Dayan encourages an environment with wide acceptance and freedom, which will in turn create an environment free of societal pressures and expectations. He shares, “Liberation lives not just in women growing stronger, but in men growing softer, in gender lines blurring to give way to truly individual expression.”
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BALLERINO / A BOOK OF MAGAZINE
Series spotlight and interview with A Book Of Magazine.
Born in Los Angeles, David-Simon Dayan uses photography and poetry to challenge the notions of gender and masculinity being presented to him. In his interview with A Book Of, we chat about how he uses both mediums to express these questions, utilizing the crafts to further understand himself and the larger queer community. With his first solo show, Ballerino, the artist invites the viewer to understand the experience of men in ballet by providing an intimate peak into their time at the barre, utilizing harsh light that falls on hardened, yet graceful bodies; the result, a timeless portrayal of the human form.
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"Inspired by a popular idea in color theory (in which a drop of black paint has the capacity to "ruin" any shade, the queer individual parallels this profound ability to affect, further, enliven their surroundings, even reclaiming the once derogatory term as means of empowerment) photographer David-Simon Dayan set out to document LGBTQ nightlife--environments defined by inclusivity--in LA and NY through his photo series, Black Paint."
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BALLERINO BY DAVID-SIMON DAYAN / CAP74024
Series spotlight and interview with CAP 74024.
As the opening of the exhibition approaches, we invited Los-Angeles based artist David-Simon Dayan to talk about his upcoming photography exhibition Ballerino, which will be held in A Love Bizarre (a queer focused gallery space) in Los Angeles once the lockdown has been lifted.
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FUTURE LOADING / NUMÉRO BERLIN
Fashion editorial creative directed and photographed by David-Simon Dayan, styled in archival designer by Pechuga Vintage, featuring Gigi Goode.
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ABSTRACTION / BEHIND THE BLINDS MAGAZINE
Portrait series of Miles McMillan featured in Behind the Blinds Magazine.
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In an America riven by racial unrest, actresses Nana Ghana and Megalyn Echikunwoke sit in conversation with photographer David-Simon Dayan to give an insight into the weary and war-torn streets of Los Angeles.
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Artist/Series spotlight in Kaltblut Magazine.
David-Simon Dayan is an artist born in Los Angeles, currently based between there and New York City. His visual and written work captures an intimate and poetic look into an avant-garde world with a distinctive visual style and tangible feeling of warmth with his subjects.
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ART AND POETRY BY DAVID-SIMON DAYAN / PNPPL
Series spotlight and poetry published in PNPPL Zine.
Let’s pine over the preview of an upcoming exhibition by David-Simon Dayan. Scroll down for pictures from his series ‘Ballerino’ and – as a little extra – poems by the artist.
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Portrait series of Emma Corrin featured in W Magazine.
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LOOKING GOODE / GRAZIA MAGAZINE
Portraits of Gigi Goode featured with interview in Grazia Magazine “New Wave” Issue.
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POETRY BY DAVID-SIMON DAYAN / CAP74024
Collection of poetry by David-Simon Dayan in C.A.P. 74024 Magazine.
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BALLERINO / BARBEQUEER MAGAZINE
Artist/Series spotlight in Barbequeer Magazine.
David-Simon Dayan, the twenty-four year-old Los Angeles-based artist, examines the male form in his latest exhibition, Ballerino. Using 35mm film to capture intimate moments of male ballet dancers, David-Simon explores what it means to be a person, to be a queer person, to reckon race, identity, and freedom.
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INGENUITY / A BOOK OF MAGAZINE
Cover story and Interview by David-Simon Dayan in A Book Of Magazine.
We discuss how the modern cult classic, Mean Girls, has influenced his career, how he originally begun performing, and how the fun of Food Network balances out the “Wild West” of acting.
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TWISTED ELEGANCE / FLAUNT MAGAZINE
Interview and editorial with actor Ben Aldridge in Flaunt Magazine.
We discuss childhood, being a bullied stage kid, Emmy-nominated series Fleabag, and the ever-evolving role of an actor.
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LIQUESCENCE / A BOOK OF MAGAZINE
Poem and editorial by David-Simon Dayan with Justin Barco in A Book Of Magazine.
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Series spotlight paired with poem in C.A.P. 74024 Magazine.
A portrait of couplehood in it’s effortless, intimate state. Two bodies converging in this human experience, photographed in their nest, free of societal noise, free to be and be seen by one another.
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Editorial with actor Ben Barnes in Flaunt Magazine.
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Editorial and Interview with artist Chester Lockhart in
Dearboy Magazine Issue V.
We discuss growing up as first-generation Americans, the interconnectedness of experience, identity, visuality and music, and maintaining a relationship with death as a tool of guidance.
Series spotlight and article in Out Magazine.
“Donald Trump’s ongoing attacks on the LGBTQ community have not gone unnoticed…The transphobic initiative sparked outrage among several communities, with rallies and marches popping up around the country…David-Simon Dayan was in the midst of the action, capturing beautiful photos as these young activists rallied and marched against the administration’s ongoing system of oppression.
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Editorial and Interview with artist Mela Murder in DRØMe Magazine Volume III.
We discuss her shifting through art forms, single motherhood, and the lessons we’ve learned through universal tests.
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ANTIBOY / SENCILLO MAGAZINE COVER STORY
Editorial with musician Antiboy in Sencillo Magazine.
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Editorial with musician Jesse Saint John in Paper Magazine.
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Artist spotlight, essay by David-Simon Dayan.
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Editorial with actor Jake T. Austin in Flaunt Magazine.
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INSPIRATION / DRØME MAGAZINE
Series spotlight in DRØME Magazine Volume III.
A self-portrait series connecting the artist to others who have preceded. by utilizing the unique process of acting as both photographer and subject, The artist explores the collaborative quality of creating imagery, not alone but in conversation with the artists referenced; those who have widely inspired, nudging the path of history forward.
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Series spotlight in C.A.P. 74024 “A Language of Body” Issue.
A photographic series exploring the relationship between sexual consumption and violence. Time and time again, we’re reminded that the two are undeniably linked. In studying the gaze as it applies to the male form—in the vulnerable state of anonymity—often placed on the individual without consent, I’ve noticed the ease in which viewers comment on the subject’s placement on the sexual appeal totem pole; a dehumanized vessel, valued entirely by said physicality with no regard to the entirety of their being. In agreeing to be photographed in this manner, veiling themselves, a play on reclaiming consensual anonymity while teetering on the idea of consumption—an act culturally reserved for the femme form—is born.
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IDIOSYNCRASY / DEARBOY MAGAZINE
Editorial and interview with artist Patrick Church in Dearboy Magazine, Issue III.
We discuss falling in love with New York City, taking hold of life, finding love online and creating a personal haven in your art.
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Editorial with musician Jesse Saint John in Out Magazine.
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Photo story with actor and artist Juan Manuel Salcito in FGUK Magazine.
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PURITY / VGXW MAGAZINE COVER STORY
Interview and photo story with Madison Iseman in VGXW Magazine.
We discuss doing what feels right, DIY horror films, being a part of one of the most anticipated films this year; Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and the importance of projects that encourage women and challenge people's opinions.
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BLACK PAINT / GLASSBOOK MAGAZINE
Artist David-Simon Dayan continues his 35mm series ‘BLACK PAINT’ in capturing the costumed expression of those during Halloween.
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Interview and editorial with musician Brandon Skeie in VGXW Magazine.
We discuss striving for discomfort, using writing as a form of therapy, advocating for the queer community through music, and the importance of maintaining empathy and vulnerability
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Fashion editorial for LUCY'S MAGAZINE, October 2017.
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Photo story with actor Kai Caster for FGUK MAGAZINE.
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Interview and editorial with musician Chloe Chaidez from Kitten the band for Glassbook Magazine.
We discuss her time living in a co-op, the gift of capturing seasons of life through craft, and the importance of having female role models.
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SYMPATHY / SHUBA MAGAZINE COVER STORY
Cover story, editorial for SHUBA MAGAZINE, December 2017.
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Interview and editorial with artist and blogger Charlie Barker in NAKID Magazine.
We discuss the positives and negatives of growing up in the digital age, the dichotomy of creating our paths by acting without pressure while simultaneously being on the pursuit of perfection, and finding inspiration in quotidien life.
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Interview and editorial with artist Mikel Lol for Glassbook Magazine.
We discuss using the body as a canvas for self-expression, seeking escape from heartbreak and bullying through craft, balancing masculine and feminine energy, and affecting change in the LGBTQ+ community through artistry.
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SKY DOESN'T BLUE / GLASSBOOK MAGAZINE
Interview and film for "Sky Doesn't Blue" with musician SARO for Glassbook Magazine.
We discuss his experience opening for Miguel, death, rebirth, and growing into a confident individual and artist by reclaiming "flaws."
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PRIDE PORTRAITS / OUT MAGAZINE
Photographic series taken at New York City's Pride 2017, published in Out Magazine.
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DISENCHANTMENT / GLASSBOOK MAGAZINE
Interview and editorial with Samantha Robinson, lead actress in Anna Biller's "The Love Witch."
We discuss coming to the states as an actor, being a part of feminist projects, and using nervousness as a tool for growth.
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Photo story of artist Mela Murder in Glassbook Magazine.
Special edition of series "Letters to Your Younger Self" (by Dayan) written by Mela to her unborn daughter.
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TWO MALE DANCERS / OUT MAGAZINE
Photographic series spotlight "Two Male Dancers" in Out Magazine.
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DISCOMFORT / LADYGUNN MAGAZINE
Editorial in Ladygunn Magazine Spring/Summer 2017 Issue.
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