Sherman Questions VIII

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled (Balenciaga), 2007
2. Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2004

Another image from the infamous yet untitled Balenciaga series. But this time, Sherman's outfit feels rather Cavalli-esque. A nod from the art of high fashion to the blonde ambitions of Barbie couture?
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions VII

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled (Balenciaga), 2008
2. Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2007

Indeed, Sherman carefully picks the clothes that are depicted with her characters. And it is not by coincidence that six portraits solely feature head-to-toe Balenciaga - as they follow the invitation by Nicolas Ghesquière. In return, the Fall/Winter 2010 collection includes printed shirts and dresses featuring quotes appropriated from Sherman reviews and interviews published in art magazines.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions VI

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #157, 1986
2. Madeleine Vionnet 1930s

Sherman's images of ugliness reach their climax with a 1986 character transformation. The woman is transformed into an antropomorphed hybrid, recalling motives of ancient mythology. Of course, this jinxed figure is posing in an historical archive piece by Madelaine Vionnet, a woman known for dressing puppets.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Unknown

Sherman Questions V

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled, 2000
2. Givenchy Spring/Summer 2011

The sinister side of Sherman is perpetuated by the self-portrait of a red haired woman in a black negligée, presumptive inhabitant of a trailer park (where suburban Grunge and Goth meet). If Sherman's woman is a rich, subversive beast, her character would wear Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions III

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #225, 1990
2. Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2007

One example of incorporating fake body parts and creating a moment of exhibitionist shock. In this regard, Sherman does not only quote the iconic image of Virgin with Child, she also appears close to Jean Paul Gaultier and his skin flashing runway moments. Not rarely quoting symbols of religion and holiness. By offering her right breast and wearing the black lace of a sinful widow, Sherman is bearing the cross.
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Image credits Cindy Sherman, Catwalking

Sherman Questions

1. Cindy Sherman Untitled #122, 1983
2. Maison Martin Margiela Spring/Summer 2009

Glamour girl, art billionaire and woman of the year. Images and words will never capture this complex multi-personae. Thus, I will focus on a character study through the means of fashion: Who is Cindy Sherman? And who would she be wearing?
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The Craft VIII

1. Olle Olsson Hagalund Målaren och Änglarna
2. Yohji Yamamoto Fall/Winter 2005

The craft of naive art. Nourished by an extreme sense for balanced imperfections and hidden, impish details. Yohji Yamamoto's graffiti coats appear as being painted by the dreamlike gesture of Olle Olsson Hagalund. In this sense, two masters and their creations evoke an implicit brotherhood between Sweden and Japan.
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The Camp Of Plagiarism

a) Mona Lisa, 1504-1518
 

b) Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe, 1862


c) Gabrielle d’Estrées et une de ses soeurs, 1594
Mario Sorrenti for Yves Saint Laurent Spring/Summer 1999

In few cases, copying induces in beautiful plagiarism. We are all aware of the original masterpiece and still there is a noticeable, very attractive element of intrude. Adding a certain something that doesn't belong to the iconic image.
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Reassembled Resemblance

1. Jocelyn Hobbie
2. Kathy Butterly

What I like about this combination is the meatiness that transcends from fine art to deconstructed ceramics. These compositions almost leave the feeling of perfect bodies melting into undefinable structures.
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M + MMM III

1. René Magritte La Magie Noire, 1935
2. Maison Martin Margiela Spring/Summer 2010

Surrealist camouflage in thigh-high boots. Why can't just every woman dress like an art exhibition or private gallery viewing. Wearing the artwork or vice versa. This may also apply to men, of course.
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View previous parts of M + MMM

Individual Ritual

Going to the flea market on Saturday mornings is a long-lived tradition. This time, I found a rare 1972 edition of a Picasso catalogue with seperate images individually applied onto the pages. The haute couture of art books so to speak.
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M + MMM II

1. René Magritte Le Modele Rouge, 1939
2. Maison Martin Margiela Tabi shoes

A feeling of the awkward. That, nonetheless, steadily develops a certain fascination. And one question remains: Who will be walking in these shoes. Or will these shoes wear their walker?
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View first part of M + MMM

Obviously III

1. Jeff Koons Large Vase of Flowers, 1991
2. Finale at Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2012 show
3. Raf Simons' heartbreaking good-bye, Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2012
4. Jeff Koons Sacred Heart, 1994

Flowers and hearts, from Jeff to Raf. Now that the Dior rumours are finally confirmed, we can move on. And discover further, visual tributes. A sign of new, strictly self-referential commercial heights?
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Any Body

Jeff Koons Jeff and Ilona (Made in Heaven), 1990

Taking the ready-made, adding the Pop concept of mass production and creating the pornification of kitsch. At the same time, exposing himself in the most extreme depiction of a self-portrait. What could easily be judged as simplistic, remains a complex intellectual and artistic achievement.
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Image source The Jeff Koons Show

Complementary Goods

1. Piet Hein, Ursa Major Candelabra
2. Bengt Rosenström, Rammsjö Sideboard

The interior of my apartment solely constitutes itself of piled magazines. A hybrid between gallery and book shop, hence the particular need of furniture. An almost endless process of research and consideration.
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