Page 38 - AVN December 2013

ADUL T WHO’S WHO
IN MEMORIAM
Adult Community Mourns Loss of Carlos Batts
Members of the adult industry expressed their shock and disbelief upon hearing of the
death of Carlos Batts. Shock gave way to grief and loss, mixed with a deep appreciation
for the man and his work—feelings that drew many to his memorial service and two sep-
[April] in your thoughts. Remember that any of us can leave at any moment and thus
shouldn’t take life for granted. Let the people that are close to you know how much you
love and cherish them. Carlos, you will remain in our hearts forever. Thanks for the
arate events to help raise funds to cover the expenses associated with his untimely passing.
The 40-year-old died unexpectedly on October 22. An official cause of death is pend-
ing a coroner’s ruling.
Batts, who was also known as C. Batts Fly, was an artist, photographer and director.
His artwork appeared on book covers and album covers, as well as in music videos and
movies. He also had several internationally distributed hardbound coffee table
books that showcase his artistic approach to photography: Wild Skin
(Edition Ruess, 2001), Crazy Sexy Hollywood (Edition Ruess,
2003), American Gothic (Scapegoat Publishing, 2005) and
Fat Girl (Rare Bird Publishing, 2013).
Batts directed the independent feature film
Voluptuous Biker Babes as well as the underground art
films American Gothic and April Flores World.
Much of his work centered on and around the
love of his life, wife April Flores.
Flores and Batts were practically inseparable
since first meeting, and their relationship is the
stuff of legends: Boy and girl meet, it’s love at
first sight, and they live happily every after.
“I’m just in shock,” Flores told AVN. “We
had our whole lives planned out, but now we
won’t have that.”
Flores said she has been getting support
from friends and family who love her and
Carlos, and she hopes people will continue to
celebrate Batts’ life, artistic vision and creativi-
ty.
Performer Sinnamon Love told AVN that
she and her boyfriend, musician Jarobi White,
became friends with Batts and Flores while
attending the Feminist Porn Mini-Conference
in Santa Barbara. Love said Batts was a fan of
White’
s band A Tribe Called Quest and they, in
turn, were fans of his art and his muse, Flores.
“I am having an incredibly difficult time put-
ting into words how I feel right now, and have
been fighting back tears all day,” Love wrote in
many years of friendship and support.”
Wright Williams, adult industry SEO consultant, also posted on Facebook about the
artist: “RIP Carlos Batts. While I only spoke with you in regards to business dealings, you
were always very friendly, and your art speaks for itself. I wish your wife and family, your
friends and industry colleagues good blessings and peace.”
From photographer Rae Threat: “Just found out the news that my friend
and extremely talented artist/photographer/inspiration, Carlos
Batts, passed away last night. My thoughts are with his wife,
family, and all our extended friends. This is a tremendous
loss. He was a true inspiration to me—one of the very
few, and … I’m just in total shock right now. You
were one of a kind, Carlos. Thank you for every-
thing—your advice, your kindness, your art, every-
thing. R.I.P.”
“I am in utter shock,” director Ramzi Abed
posted. “I do not understand anything. I never
have. I never will. Life is way too short. Life is
way too precious. I just now heard that my
friend, Carlos Batts, passed away. I am devas-
tated. Please keep his wife … in your heart
and thoughts. My love goes out to both of
them. I can not express anything much more
right now, as I am truly in shock.”
Erica McLean, who co-directed the 2010
Cal Vista release Alice with Batts, issued the
following statement to AVN: “I’m shocked
and saddened by the news of Carlos’ death
and I send my deepest prayers and sympa-
thies to his partner April Flores and to his
family. He’s now resting in the arms of the
angels.”
An August article on TheRumpus.com
profiled Batts and Flores and their journey
making “big, sexy art together.”
“Art is the strongest form of activism,”
Batts said in the interview.
“Art encompasses
everything. It encompasses the queer move-
a tribute post. “I adored Carlos, not only
because he was a brilliant gift to this world,
artistically and humanely, but because when I
saw the way he looked at his wonderful wife
April, I recognized that look ... as that is the way
my partner looks at me. …”
In conclusion, Love write, “Carlos, we all love you
& will miss you ... and we will take care of your lover, your
friend & your muse in your absence. Girl Scout promise.”
White echoed Love’s thoughts, and posted on Instagram about the news.
“I hate that I’m making this post right now. R.I.P Carlos Batts a.k.a C. Batts Fly,” he
wrote. “I usually don’t take to new people. We met, hit it off immediately. Super talented,
super cool guy. You will be missed homie.”
Other friends and acquaintances of Batts took to social media sites to express their love
and adoration.
“Mourning the tremendous and unexpected loss of one of my best friends, Carlos
Batts, who passed away last night,” photographer Steve Goedde posted on Facebook.
“Carlos and I moved to LA roughly at the same time about 15 years ago and stayed close
ever since. He was an exceptionally nice guy, great artist, and lovingly devoted husband to
the love of his life [April]. We’re all in shock and disbelief. Please keep his family and
38 | AVN.com | 12.13
ment, fat activism, racism, all the ‘isms’—
that’s our job. We’re not supposed to be total
consumers … even though I want to be rich
and have a million dollar boat, but my moti-
vation is to cross boundaries and create a dia-
logue, and that’
s what I’ve done it for since I
was a kid.”
Batts
’ love for art was reflected in the way the Los
Angeles art community rallied together after his death. A week
after Batts was laid to rest on November 9 at Forest Lawn in Glendale, California, a
fundraiser and silent art auction was held at Antebellum Gallery in Hollywood on
November 15.
Some of the biggest names in contemporary art—including Coop, Matthew Bone and
Shepard Fairey—donated works. Adult entertainment icons Buck Angel and Nina
Hartley also put artwork up for bid.
At press time, another fundraiser was slated for November 30 at the iO West Comedy
Theater, with expected appearances by various adult entertainers, including Flores, Nina
Hartley and Justine Joli.
Those who could not attend the fundraisers but still wish to help can donate funds via
Paypal to CarlosBattsMemorialFund@gmail.com.