Laetitia BICA : If there’s nothing at stake, why play?

Driven by her Sicilian roots and passion for photography, Laetitia BICA challenges industry norms through her feminist lens, documenting the vibrancy of Brussels’ queer community and its creative resilience.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What has been your journey?

“Photography has always been a part of me, sparked by my mother’s passion and my Sicilian family’s flair for the dramatic. From a young age, I embraced the camera, leading me to study art in Liège and eventually showcase my feminist work at the B.I.P. alongside renowned photographers. Fashion photography became my entry into professional photography, challenging industry norms with my collaborator Jean-Paul Lespagnard by featuring diverse models long before it was accepted.”

What are your current or future projects?

“I’m constantly juggling multiple projects, blending personal interests with commissioned work. My collaboration with the drag community remains a focal point, allowing me to explore and document its vibrancy. Recently, I ventured into directing music videos and creating visual identities for artists, treating each shoot as a creative workshop. I’m also collaborating with choreographers and the Theatre of Liège, using photography to complement the dynamics of stage performances.”

What does being a part of the Brussels queer community mean to you?

“I consider myself more of an accomplice to the Brussels queer community rather than defining my place within it. My role is to document and amplify its voices through my work, capturing the essence of queer creativity and resilience.”

What Brussels or Belgian queer initiatives are you fond of?

“The recent surge in the drag scene has profoundly influenced me, especially working with Drag Couenne and the ‘not allowed’ team. The scene’s questioning of queer representations and its political undercurrents inspire me. Events like Blanket La Goulue’s playback shows and La Veuve’s Queeriosity are particularly impactful, challenging audiences and norms alike, and embodying the spirited defiance and inclusivity of queer culture.”

Photography : Laetitia Bica 

Performer : Drag Couenne – Adrien De Biasi 

Styling : Vanessa Pinto