A Behind The Scenes Look At The Delicance Project: Meet Maria Angelini
Written by Daphne Bryant
All images courtesy of Talia Goodwin
exploring queer masculinity: that’s what Maria ANgelini (they/them) a 2o year old artist currently based in NYC and Boston has set out to do! Their most recent venture is the Delicance Project, a photo series Born out of vulnerability and the lack of queer, masculine representation. DWG had the honor of sitting down with angelini to chat about their art and how the delicance project came to life. read our interview below!
Q1: Hi Maria! Tell us: how did you become involved in photography and filmmaking?
A: So good to talk with DWG, but ahhhh loaded question. I’ve always kinda been a visual artist. As a kid, I could never put down my paintbrush or pen, I did woodworking with my dad, and I was always creating something. In high school I took a creative writing class and realized I could tell my stories not just with words but also through visuals. I became more seriously involved in photography in college when I took a photography class in my 1st semester abroad in Rome, and immediately I was like “ This is what I need to do with my life: create!!”
Since then I haven’t put it down. It’s a lot of trial and error, and hours of editing, but I love seeing an idea become real.
Q2: I know you moved to NYC for the semester! How are you liking the city?!
A: AHH yes! Well New York City is incredible. Hands down one of the biggest creative hubs I’ve encountered. I moved here in January as part of Northeastern’s work experience program and I work at Matte Projects, a creative agency, in their Experiential Production department, coordinating live events across fashion & entertainment events. I’ve honestly met some of the best people here and I tend to spend most of my time mindlessly meandering around just exploring and looking at all the buildings. Best rec is Elizabeth Street Garden which is probably my go-to spot in the city; it’s this small park in Soho with dozens of statues and tables and I did a lot of the photoshoot’s ideation there.
Q3: Our audience may recognize you as the creative behind NYC’s most recent masc photoshoot. What was the inspiration behind the first part of what you’re calling The Delicance Project?
A: NYC MASC PHOTOSHOOT!! Well I’d say this is an idea I’ve always had. It was born from 8 year old tomboy Maria longing to see someone like her anywhere; but I never really did. I grew up in a small town in CT so not a ton of queer people there let alone mascs. I was fortunate enough to have lesbian aunts who really helped me feel comfortable in myself and confident in my androgyny.
But I never saw other masculine-presenting people, and I always wished I had. As I got older, and I met more people from all over the world I realized this wasn’t just a“ me thing” there genuinely isn’t much queer masculinity anywhere let alone media with the exception of a few problematic characters here and there.
Honestly, the shoot is inspired by my frustration of feeling like I always had to act“ masc” or“ manly” because I present as androgynous. It’s born out of frustration and feeling invisible, inadequate, and feeling spoken for. Given the state of the country right now, I felt super sad about the lack of community and I finally had the connections to make this happen.
Another part of it was seeing the Lucy Dacus music video and being like, well this should be a photoshoot, and lemme try and do it better! I was frustrated, lonely, and craved for representation; so I made it! This shoot is inspired by that isolation of not only being queer but also being masc. It is about exploring the vulnerability in masculine presentation. I, and many other mascs or androgynous people, am not masculine all the time, and we shouldn’t be expected to be.
Q4: What was your favorite part of working on the shoot and seeing it come to life?
A: Can I say all of it (lol)? Perhaps I’d have to say meeting everyone and watching everyone be themselves and feeling confident, and laughing with one another. Most of them were complete strangers and immediately they were just so kind and considerate. I was just kinda like“ where have all you guys been my whole life?” It was also pretty incredible just seeing everyone’s eyes light up throughout the day; that was really special to see.
Q5: Social media played a huge role in helping you find models and crew members. What is your relationship with and to social media right now? How can artists use social media to their advantage?
A: Social media connects people; an obvious answer, but it is SO true. I met some lovely people and casted most of the models through Tiktok, mutual friends, and Instagram. I posted a video a couple of months back promoting an open casting call for mascs/nonbinary/ and trans people and had about 700 responses; some were models, but there were also a bunch of creatives wanting to be involved as well.
I met my incredible Lead Stylist, Sam Byers (@dreamrack), at a NYC Dreamworldgirl photoshoot Daphne asked me to model for in January. We yapped on the train and learned that we have so much in common (Taurus birthday twins lol), but mainly that we are just two very motivated, passionate, creative people. I really couldn’t have done this shoot without Sam. Most of the other crew, I met via personal projects, mutual friends, freelancing, but also TikTok!
As of right now, I use social media to post updates about the project but also for promoting it. I think TikTok in particular is a great way to promote content via short form video content just cause so many people can see any given post. I think artists can utilize hashtags and short form videos as a great way to connect with others and get your creations out there; see what others are doing but also don’t be afraid to put your own spin on things!
Q6: Why is queer representation so important to you as a creative and as an individual?
A: I never saw queer representation growing up in any media outlet. My mother remarried a woman when I was 10 and I was fortunate enough to have exposure to queer joy at an early age. However, despite seeing this via my mom’s relationship I never saw it in the world. I rarely saw masculine presenting queer people in books, movies, or media. As I got older that was the focus of a lot of my work; to change this and make queer masc people visible; not only as masculine but also as vulnerable.
I think it is so wildly important to share queer joy and authenticity. Especially in the world right now, there is a lot of uncertainty and I’m sure everyone in the community feels this. It took me a long time to feel confident in expressing myself as more androgynous and masculine, but a lot of this was accomplished by seeing queer mascs at Pride.
Queer art is unrestricted, authentic, and vulnerable. I want people to know that queerness is an exceptionally powerful form of freedom and self expression. Just because there is a lot of fear surrounding our community right now doesn’t mean you have to be invisible; it means now is the time for queer joy (and art) to be created.
“Queer art is unrestricted, authentic, and vulnerable. I want people to know that queerness is an exceptionally powerful form of freedom and self expression.”
Q7: What are you hoping people take away from DELICANCE?
A: I hope people understand that you aren’t invisible. This project’s core theme is to highlight masculine presenting people by showing that there is vulnerability and tenderness in masculinity too.
For me this photoshoot and these people validate every ounce of gender euphoria that comes with existing softly. Regardless of whether people care about this project or not, all that matters to me is that the photoshoot provides at least a few people with the chance to feel seen.
Q8: To anyone hoping to dive into some creative direction, what would your advice for them be?
A: Trust yourself. Be creative and try the things you are anxious about trying. I’m very much a“ go with the flow” person, but when it comes to creative direction the biggest hurdle I faced was trusting myself and just putting my work out there. Not everyone is going to like it, but I assure you it will make a difference to someone and for me that’s what matters.
Q9: What does girlhood mean to you?
A: Girlhood is the community I was raised in and also the freedom to be myself in whatever way my androgyny feels. My presentation may not always align with typical femininity, but Dreamworldgirl’s community has always welcomed me with welcome arms. I think girlhood represents a wonderful space to be creative and exist. I think this community is irreplaceable and I am so glad I have met some of my good friends through it.
Q10: Anything else you’d like people to know about you and your art?
A: I’m a pretty open book! I would love to work with more creative people. Our 2nd photoshoot for this series is going to happen sometime in late May or early June, so I’d love to connect with other filmmakers, graphic designers, models, BTS photographers and anyone else who may want to be involved; there are so many opportunities connect with me on my IG @pics_bymangelini!
If you take away anything, just know queer masculinity is a spectrum. I know not everyone will care but all that matters is that a few people feel seen and a little less alone.
