Self Portrait.... Would You Do This ?

[Rick Waldroup]

www.edelmangallery.com/davis.htm Would you do this? I received my copy of Aperture magazine the other day and came across her work. She is Jen Davis and she has done a series of self portraits that is now on exhibit in Chicago. A couple of brief quotes from the article in the magazine written by Rod Slemmons. "There are two different kinds of courage at work in Jen Davis's photographs. First, there is the brave decision to expose so completely her physical appearence and her personal anxiety related to that apprearence. Aside from any theroizing about stereotypes and judgement of the whole by means of parts, this is a tough thing to do." And then at the end of the article- "This is one reason why it takes much strength to be willing to subject one's body-imperfect as it inevitably is-to a scrutinizing eye. In most particularly to one's own eye,which is often the least forgiving."
Would you do this? Do you think this is art?

[Terrancelee]

Originally Posted by Rick Waldroup

Do you think this is art?

No.

Now, if they were quality shots, sure. The only reason they are "anything" is because they are self portraits of a larger person in some onflattering poses. Had they been taken without her knowledge, the photog would be hung out to dry.

You don't have to be a stick to look good in a picture, however, the picture does have to look good to be art, IMO.

[Digital Prophet]

Originally Posted by Terrancelee

No.

Now, if they were quality shots, sure. The only reason they are "anything" is because they are self portraits of a larger person in some onflattering poses. Had they been taken without her knowledge, the photog would be hung out to dry.

You don't have to be a stick to look good in a picture, however, the picture does have to look good to be art, IMO.

Exactly. But mark my words, someone somewhere is calling this "brave" and "daring". But in reality it is just more crap that someone thinks is art because it is something they wouldn't do.

And before certain people lose thier tiny little minds I stand by my opinion because as a fat person I fail to see the intrisic artistic value of it.

Prophet out.

[Jake]

Not really my cup of cheese but I have seen much worst crap being pushed as "Art".
It's something you don't see every day, I will give it that. I think Spock from Star Wars did some real "Art" with some large chicks.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Rick Waldroup

www.edelmangallery.com/davis.htm Would you do this? I received my copy of Aperture magazine the other day and came across her work. She is Jen Davis and she has done a series of self portraits that is now on exhibit in Chicago. A couple of brief quotes from the article in the magazine written by Rod Slemmons. "There are two different kinds of courage at work in Jen Davis's photographs. First, there is the brave decision to expose so completely her physical appearence and her personal anxiety related to that apprearence. Aside from any theroizing about stereotypes and judgement of the whole by means of parts, this is a tough thing to do." And then at the end of the article- "This is one reason why it takes much strength to be willing to subject one's body-imperfect as it inevitably is-to a scrutinizing eye. In most particularly to one's own eye,which is often the least forgiving."
Would you do this? Do you think this is art?

Absolutely, it's art. It's art in the tradition of Boche, Bruegle, Goya right on up to Diana Arbus and Avedon's "The West." As for self portraits with an unforgiving eye, look a the works of Francis Bacon.

http://www.queerculturalcenter.org/P...n/FBFaces.html

[Jake]

Here are the Spock pictures.

[LoungeLizard]

Two things: as my wife would say. "How do you know it's art?" "You don't like it and someone is willing to pay for it."

As to whether I'd do it or not - heck no. There's no way I'd wear those clothes. I mean, I just can't see myself in that little nightgown.

[h00kemh0rns]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

As to whether I'd do it or not - heck no. There's no way I'd wear those clothes. I mean, I just can't see myself in that little nightgown.

Funny you mention that...Holly says she has a pic of you in a hot pink nightgown.

[lscottpht]

Actually, I do think it's art, but I would have made it more into a photo story. I was actually going to do something similar awhile back. I was going to do a series of self portraits to tell a story of my weight loss, documenting the struggles and such, from the beginning until now.

[LoungeLizard]

Originally Posted by h00kemh0rns

Funny you mention that...Holly says she has a pic of you in a hot pink nightgown.

...I called it art...

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by Rick Waldroup

Would you do this? Do you think this is art?

Gross ...Not Art as far as I'm concerned!

[h00kemh0rns]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

...I called it art...

I thought your name was Jesus...or is that what you call "it"?

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

...I called it art...

Preformance Art?

[Tom]

If I did that of myself, I would make sure the shots were lit well and in focus.

Although I am not muscle-bound or fat, so it would just be pictures of an average guy. Maybe that is art.

[Rick Waldroup]

I found the photos fascinating. I kept coming back to them over and over. There are several photos in the magazine that are not on the website and vice versa. My favorite one on the website was the last one "Presentment". There is no way I would have done this. Hell, I run for the hills whenever a camera is pointed at me and I never, ever take self portraits. Really, really look at the composition, they have the look of random snapshots, but they are much more than that. The composition of the second shot taken in the doorway is simply wonderful. My tiny mind likes this.