Title
Lambada Dyed Red White Blue
Date
2021
Medium
Color high-definition video, with sound, 6 min. + NFT
To watch the full video
Click on the image︎︎︎
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ABOUT THE PROJECT
On September 13, 2021, Valentina Sampaio walked the red carpet at The Met Gala, in celebration of American fashion, where the dress code is: “American Independence”. We believe that the theme of this year’s Met Gala invites everyone to contemplate what it means to be an American today.
For Valentina, this question is in the context of the trans community. Valentina is from Brazil, a country that has the highest trans fatal violence rate in the world. This year, will likely surpass 2020 in being the deadliest year for trans people in America.
In this project, Valentina travelled through two realties:
In a PHYSICAL REALITY, she attends the MET gala as a guest and walks the red carpet, ascending the famous stairs of the museum.
In an ALTERNATE REALITY - a virtual one - Valentina will contemplate the question of ”What does it mean to be an American?” for a trans person. The question is expressed through a short film directed and written by Branislav Jankić and Jesse Ball that combines elements of traditional video with CGI and 3D design. The CGI version of the dress, designed by digital artist NERI (Gia Djahaia), was sold as an NFT to Kevin Monahan, founder of EcoFi for $300,000 USD with proceeds donated to LGBTQ+ charities, in partnership with blockchain leader, LUKSO.
The goal of this project is to offer every viewer a chance to answer the question for themselves and draw awareness to a cause that is close to Valentina’s heart. In a sacred monologue, Valentina recites the names of those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence in America. As she honors and recites these names, a dress begins to form on Valentina’s body that symbolizes and memorializes the trans lives lost.
︎︎︎More info on the project:https://lambadadyedredwhiteblue.com
Lambada Dyed Red White Blue
Date
2021
Medium
Color high-definition video, with sound, 6 min. + NFT
To watch the full video
Click on the image︎︎︎

ABOUT THE PROJECT
On September 13, 2021, Valentina Sampaio walked the red carpet at The Met Gala, in celebration of American fashion, where the dress code is: “American Independence”. We believe that the theme of this year’s Met Gala invites everyone to contemplate what it means to be an American today.
For Valentina, this question is in the context of the trans community. Valentina is from Brazil, a country that has the highest trans fatal violence rate in the world. This year, will likely surpass 2020 in being the deadliest year for trans people in America.
In this project, Valentina travelled through two realties:
In a PHYSICAL REALITY, she attends the MET gala as a guest and walks the red carpet, ascending the famous stairs of the museum.
In an ALTERNATE REALITY - a virtual one - Valentina will contemplate the question of ”What does it mean to be an American?” for a trans person. The question is expressed through a short film directed and written by Branislav Jankić and Jesse Ball that combines elements of traditional video with CGI and 3D design. The CGI version of the dress, designed by digital artist NERI (Gia Djahaia), was sold as an NFT to Kevin Monahan, founder of EcoFi for $300,000 USD with proceeds donated to LGBTQ+ charities, in partnership with blockchain leader, LUKSO.
The goal of this project is to offer every viewer a chance to answer the question for themselves and draw awareness to a cause that is close to Valentina’s heart. In a sacred monologue, Valentina recites the names of those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence in America. As she honors and recites these names, a dress begins to form on Valentina’s body that symbolizes and memorializes the trans lives lost.
︎︎︎More info on the project:https://lambadadyedredwhiteblue.com