Divet, a long-time drag artist, corrects the claims made in public regarding drag art.
Marko Vainio has been entertaining Finns for 20 years with his various characters. Riitta Heiskanen
Divet, a long-time drag artist, lived Marko Vainio is concerned about the claims made against drag art, according to which the sport sexualizes children or favors pedophilia.
Drag culture has become a hot topic recently.
Last weekend, the Kulttuurikaappi festivals were organized at Malmitalo in Helsinki, which were meant to show Drag Kids -documentary. In the US documentary in question, four children aged 8–12 perform as drag characters at various events.
Drag is an art form where a person expresses himself through make-up, performance and clothes.
In the festival software, the age limit for the documentary was marked as K18, because the National Audiovisual Institute did not have time to check the age limit for it. The high age limit sparked a discussion on social media about the appropriateness of the topic. The harshest social media allegations accused the city of Helsinki of supporting pedophilia.
Divet states right at the beginning of the interview that he has not watched the Drag Kids documentary himself, but is aware of the discussion caused by the documentary. He wants to correct the public accusations regarding drag art.
– We’ve gone a little wild here, Divet says.
– Nordic and European drag is called old-time drag. It’s impersonation, where familiar characters are presented, Divet explains.
Picture from the Divet Show performance, where Vainio is dressed as the British singer Adele. Jouni Nieminen
Many people are currently aware of the American drag artist RuPaul, who has increased the popularity of the sport with his own TV show. Divet highlights the Swedish group After Dark, which has had a significant impact on the art form in the Nordic countries.
Divet has worked professionally as a drag artist for over 20 years. For him, it is not a hobby, but a real job.
– We have worked for so long to make drag art an entertainment for the whole nation. We have moved from nightclubs to daytime events like ships. Now the rug is being completely pulled from under us because of some Yankee dork.
In Divet’s opinion, the claims about pedophilia and sexualization of children are incorrect and unfounded. His own target audience is largely families with children, who get to see when Divet transforms into familiar Finnish stars such as Katri as Helena or Jorma Uotiske.
– A performer must know his audience. I choose the content of the show very carefully if I know children will be there. I don’t use foul or sharp language.
In his performance, Vainio also transforms into Paula Koivuniemi. Jouni Nieminen
According to the artist, not all the content of drag culture is suitable for children’s eyes. However, he emphasizes that content aimed at adults is shown in nightclubs or places where children cannot access.
– The Fall program is full of characters playing with gender roles, starting with Marja Tyrn, he points out.
Divet says that drag enthusiasts are not only members of a sexual or gender minority. The sport can be practiced by everyone, regardless of gender. Not everyone focuses on imitating well-known characters either, but the content can be, for example, poetry, dancing or singing.
Last summer, a fairy tale workshop held by a drag artist was organized in Helsinki’s Oodi. However, the event was disrupted by several people. The situation progressed to the point that even the police had to intervene.
Divet wonders why drag artists’ story lessons arouse such strong backlash.
– It’s just the same thing as a cartoon character dressed as Donald Duck reading fairy tales to children, he states.
In Diveti’s opinion, not all drag art is intended for children, but the performer must know his audience. IL archive
However, Divet himself would not agree to hold drag workshops where children would be taught to do make-up like drag stars.
– Finland would need new drag artists. But yes, there would be a K18 limit, because I would like to train drag artists so that they can do gigs and work. The children belong to school. Children can follow what is happening from the sidelines and then think about what they want someday.
During his own career, Divet has received individual negative comments, but in the final games the feedback has been positive.
– Usually those (negative comments) talk about religious backgrounds. I still get messages from parents, how the kids are still talking about my Jennifer Lopez character or already asking about my next gig.