M(other)ing – C/O Vienna Magazine

When the theme of M(other)ing came up, we decided to collaborate as a team, something we had been wanting to do for quite some time. After collectively researching the topic of M(other)ing, we decided to focus on motherhood within chosen families in the queer community, specifically ballroom.

Ballroom originated in Harlem, New York, during the 1960s and 70s, founded by Black and Latinx trans women as a space of self-expression, celebration, and to practice strategies of survival for queer people of color facing racism and queerphobia in a white, heteronormative society. In ballroom, the figure of the house mother embodies leadership, resilience, and care, offering a counter-narrative to conventional notions of motherhood. Rather than being tied to biology or traditional gender roles, mothering in this context is about offering guidance, providing support, and having each other’s back within the community.

This series centers on voguing, one of many ballroom categories inspired by fashion magazine poses, which also gave it its name, as well as influences from Egyptian hieroglyphs, martial arts, and sex work. The people featured in this project are part of the Viennese ballroom community – friends who train together, perform together, and hold each other down.

A project on the theme of M(OTHER)ING, realized in collaboration with the Applied Photography and Time-Based Media class led by Univ.-Prof. Maria Ziegelböck at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Created as part of Yasmina Haddad's MATCH! #4 course.

The interrelationship between photography, fashion, and casting is examined, focusing on the relationship between photographer and subject—and vice versa. The mother figure is not meant biologically, but is considered through acts of care: m(other)ing is a verb. Mothers mother, fathers mother, friends mother—you can also be the mother of a house! Are you maternal? Or are you mothers? Like queens?*

We made a point of sharing ownership of the resulting images, because at the core of this series is collective effort. On that note, special thanks to everyone who helped and contributed to the project.

Photography: Amina Ben Hassen & Daniel Wendt

Styling: Laura Zanon

Styling Assistance: Giovanni Libro

Light & Assistance: Pascal Schrattenecker

Hair & Make Up: Nil Stranzinger

Talents: Olivia, Carlos, Arsany

Special thanks to: Cindy Fodor, Banana Rental

Styling Credits: Minaminou, Giovanni Libro, Yana Chervinska, Elva Blau