From Chavela to Frida: loving from the margins

J Homosex. 2012;59(8):1131-44. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2012.712818.

Abstract

This article analyzes the portrayal of lesbian desire in the case of two of the most renowned icons of contemporary Mexican and Latino popular culture: singer Chavela Vargas (1919-2012) and painter Frida Kahlo (1910-1954). This article explores the intertextual dialogue between two texts that deal with the construction of Kahlo's persona and sexuality: Chavela's memoir, titled Y si quieres saber de mi pasado (2002), and the film Frida (2001), directed by Julie Taymor. Fundamental to this study is Chavela Vargas' lesbian subject position in both texts and the consequences and implications her location has in representing lesbian homoerotics and desire.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Art / history
  • Famous Persons*
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino / history*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • History, 20th Century
  • Homosexuality, Female / history*
  • Homosexuality, Female / psychology
  • Humans
  • Literature, Modern / history
  • Mexico
  • Motion Pictures
  • Music / history
  • United States

Personal name as subject

  • Frida Kahlo
  • Chavela Vargas