Realized in studio, part of a serie called "red skins". I have built a floor over an inflated swimming pool. So the model can be showered without problems. Picture taken with a medium format, Fuji gfx 100. When printed, I usually make two prints (60 x 120 cm each), cutting the face exactly middle of the nose, between the natural and the red skin. The framing is done in very beautiful metal frames just 5mm width. The frames are hooked on the wall with 5mm between them. So the viewer is pushed to go closer and look at the details of every frame (and with 100 Mpix you have a lot) before looking it as a single picture. The very thin depth of field is really amazing on the eyes : the drop just in front of the eye is already a little blurry !
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I'm seriously trying to understand what the point or meaning behind this is. As with the other photos of the kids with the same make up on, it's hard to see a message or motive behind the makeup choice.
This is the point : no message at all from the photographer ! So you must find your own story. I'm creating images without any specific purpose. So the viewer is put in a very uncomfortable and also unusual status : he must find his own questions, story, answers ! For years I was working hard to create beautiful images (mainly landscape) but since this year I changed 180°. You must also have in mind that this images are very big prints and have not been published at all on the web. Only in galleries, to sell ! I'm really glad that you had this very expected reaction on my images ! Have a nice day !
I think you're mistaking confusion for being "uncomfortable."
Art doesn't have to always be pretty; it can be ironic, brash, aggressive, heartbreaking, etc. But it should be either esthetically pleasing, compelling, vibrant, or emotionally impactful.
Confusing and simplistic doesn't really work, in my book. Just some food for thought.
There's an area near the Salton Sea called Slab City. It's filled with mobile homes that have all sorts of junk and oddities displayed on their lots. No doubt everyone who has one of these lots BELIEVES they've created something artistic.
Reality, though, is that it's just weird and random, and probably only appeals to like-minded, delusional "visionaries" who also believe that they're artists as well. At the end of the day, though, it's just wasted money, time, energy, and dreams because it'll likely end up in the trash after they pass away.
It's not about making art to please others; it's about leaving something unique, masterful, and impactful that can stand the test of time.
Leaving something unique, masterful and impactful ! What a program !
If the viewers of my prints, today, can keep in their memory some trace of my work, I'm happy ! Just enough for me.
And if they buy, sometimes, the work, even more happy !
Just a last word to say that this is really fully my work : shooting, post-processing, printing, framing, selling !
As Achilles said in the movie Troy, "That's why no one will remember your name."
There's something called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. Sometimes we need to listen to the critics if we want to improve. If one doesn't BELIEVE that they need to improve, then are they truly creating art? Or just something that they like?
Hi Ed, I appreciate that you take some of your time to comment here. Thanks for that, I wish you the best for the future.
Best regards, Jean-Marc
PS: I'm sorry that you don't find in my work something interesting.