The “Image culture” in nowadays society and media-consumer era; I've tried to capture how important personal image and ideal-life is for people through 4 European capitals: Prague, London, Berlin and Amsterdam.
The portfolio is divided into 3 chapters by chosen topic and quotations.
Wealth
“Art should comfort the disturbed
and disturb the comfortable.”
and disturb the comfortable.”
- Cesar A. Cruz
Using art photography and reportage as a way to think more about our
society, as art does. In this section I’ve chosen pictures that depict how our society portrays a perfect model of life while we can still see the reality is very different.
society, as art does. In this section I’ve chosen pictures that depict how our society portrays a perfect model of life while we can still see the reality is very different.
Talking about wealth for instance we can see a lot of contradictions: In the first image in fact we see the contrast between the message written on the window shop “everyone’s invited - home to everything on your wish-list” and the homeless tent and belongings just outside of it.
The second image shows more how young people are wealthier than the
last decade, manifesting that with shopping and personal image related purchases.
last decade, manifesting that with shopping and personal image related purchases.
The third image is visually portraying the boundaries set by expensive brands and
fashion items. We can feel distant from their immaculate image which is usually
more idealistic and less “human”.
fashion items. We can feel distant from their immaculate image which is usually
more idealistic and less “human”.
The last picture in this section would like to suggest a reflection on how we usually define ourselves by our purchases. That happens even just by looking at the shop’s windows and imagining owning the product that we want.
Narcissism
“Fake it until you make it.”
- Mary Kay Ash
Portraits of how our image on social media is important nowadays,
even if usually it’s not truthful.
even if usually it’s not truthful.
The first picture is taken in London while a girl is posing in a remarkable location
probably for continents to post on her social media. There’s also another woman
looking at her while passing by and highlighting the difference between the way
she’s experiencing the same exact place but with an opposite aim to seek for attention.
probably for continents to post on her social media. There’s also another woman
looking at her while passing by and highlighting the difference between the way
she’s experiencing the same exact place but with an opposite aim to seek for attention.
The second one depicts how we care more about owning a picture of us in front of
an artwork or a monument more than actually enjoying it. We put our personal image
in front of everything just to bring all of the attention to ourselves, to feel more
important or just better than anyone else.
The next one is capturing how we’re able by lights and models to portray a different reality, more joyful and idillic, even on a London rainy day.
In the last picture of this section we can see a mask in the center of the frame. A man is looking at it, reminding me of the famous Amleto’s reference and iconography of the “to be or not to be” scene; considering that happened in a market, the singularity of the subject and the lights make it even more dramatic and thoughtful about the topic of personal identity and shopping ("I shop therefore I am").
Appearance
“I took pictures. I photographed
instead of talking. I photographed
not to forget. Not to stop looking.”
instead of talking. I photographed
not to forget. Not to stop looking.”
- Daniel Pennac
Pictures to document how in our society appearance is more
important than ever; for example the construction of fake scenarios to pretend that
reality is perfect and different than how it really is.
important than ever; for example the construction of fake scenarios to pretend that
reality is perfect and different than how it really is.
The first picture of this section already shows the interest that since we were child is
given to what we wear; the fact that the subject is a little girl empathise even more
the attention to the dress.
given to what we wear; the fact that the subject is a little girl empathise even more
the attention to the dress.
The second one is related to the fake scene in the background. Even if it seems very realistic, on a second glance we can see that the guard is marching in front of a gigantic picture of the building.
Then the next scene is captured while a group of youngsters is changing in the street putting on classy shoes instead of sneakers.
The fourth picture of this chapter is portraying a girl choosing jewelry in a market. Her facial expression reflected in the mirror and surrounded by all of these items drag the attention to the importance given to this purchasing moment for her; as a consequence also to the importance that personal image and appearance has for herself.
These pictures are inspired by the work of Lauren Greenfield and Jacques Henri Lartigue; two photographers that portrayed their epoch reality and spirit (authors of “Generation Wealth” and “The Invention of Happiness: Photographs”).
