Ella Veres Living Room Sacred Slam,

March 2006

 

Drawing by Pablo Martinez

 

 

Fanging My Way Through America:
What Do Vampires Have To Do With Transylvania? Photographs by Ella Veres

On March 15th, 2006 at Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn Ella Veres, Transylvanian Performance artist, drove a cross through the stigma of her homeland.

 

This event combined a photography exhibit of the people and land of Transylvania, a performance of their stories and a dramatic reading of Fanging My Way Through America – monologues and skits that testify to the life of immigrant Transylvanians here in America.

 

In Ella’s letter to Sacred Slam she said, “I am a writer/photographer/performer hailing from Transylvania currently residing in NYC and, believe me, I always have trouble with people pestering me about vampires…People here have no clue about the awful impact Hollywood and globalization have had on my homeland. Thanks to Hollywood now they build theme parks and sell sex advertising using the vampire image… It is my hope that through this event the audience will receive a more accurate portrayal of what it means to be Transylvanian and get a glimpse into various American immigration issues.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's what some audience members had to say about the event:

 

"We saw America through the eyes of gypsies, the infirm, a beautician, a racist boss, and a well-read bathroom attendant, to name a few...The small, intimate event ended with...engaging conversation over drinks and stuffed cabbage. In one brief but lively evening, Ella managed to create a little community at Galapagos."

 

Deirdre Carney

 

"[Ella's] photographs testify to her ability to elicit the trust of her home villagers, children and elders, who's truths showed through in their eyes. Her narration concerning the taking of the photos and her dramatic vignettes, read by seasoned actors, were both funny and poignant. They helped audience members enter a world of experience previously unknown to most of us. A great evening!"

 

Mary Kay Rosteck

 

"I no longer believe in Vampires, thanks to Ella Veres. 'Farewell My Transylvania' is a powerful portrayal of building a new life in America. Veres debunked the myths. Instead, she shared real people, with real courage, reflected in the beauty of their faces and in her written words."

 

Mackenzie Reide

 

 

 

For more information on Ella Vere's Work visit her website: http://www.ellaveres.com/