blackdog

25 Sep 2007 • 1,698 views
 
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photoblog image Irena Jůzová

Irena Jůzová

For me it wasn't the much hyped Tracy Emin that stole the show at the 52nd Biennale but two other female artists; Irena Jůzová of the Czech Republic and Sophie Calle of France.

Irena Jůzová puts her own body on exhibition, not as a sexually attractive, or topical gender motif, but as an industrial product.  The exhibition is a macabre selection of cast body parts placed delicately inside cardboard boxes, as if for sale by a high class retail outlet.  The photograph shows the central piece, but the whole piece was very beautiful and moving - it felt like being in a retail mausoleum.

If you want to take a look at the colour version, follow the link to Blackdog in full Technicolour.  Hate to admit it, but it is probably stronger - conveys the mood better..

 

Irena Jůzová

For me it wasn't the much hyped Tracy Emin that stole the show at the 52nd Biennale but two other female artists; Irena Jůzová of the Czech Republic and Sophie Calle of France.

Irena Jůzová puts her own body on exhibition, not as a sexually attractive, or topical gender motif, but as an industrial product.  The exhibition is a macabre selection of cast body parts placed delicately inside cardboard boxes, as if for sale by a high class retail outlet.  The photograph shows the central piece, but the whole piece was very beautiful and moving - it felt like being in a retail mausoleum.

If you want to take a look at the colour version, follow the link to Blackdog in full Technicolour.  Hate to admit it, but it is probably stronger - conveys the mood better..

 

comments (10)

  • Martin
  • United States
  • 25 Sep 2007, 00:22
The color version isn't up yet, but this is plenty interesting. I can't quite make out what is going on with her head. Is it broken off?
blackdog: It's up now Martin - no the head is attached, but unsupported. The concept is that you can have a new "designer" skin - should have made it clear that the parts are not solid, but translucent white.
  • Ginnie
  • Atlanta, GA, United States
  • 25 Sep 2007, 01:46
I really like the perspective on this artistic piece, Mike, with the artist's name in the background. It's very "clean" in B&W.
blackdog: Thank you Ginnie - "clean" is how the room felt - half way between a surgery and a designer shop.
Bit puzzled by this one... no cardboard box here?
blackdog: Yes, the shot doesn't show all I am afraid - I have more or you could google her name and biennale - lots of pics on her site. essentially the rest of the exhibit was beautifully made cardboard boxes containing translucent white "skin" casts of her body.
This is good stuff Mike: I wish to heaven I had seen this exhibition because it's just up my street. Exhibiting one's body parts as if they were retail products is a concept that could make you really think deeply, on both trivial and global levels. You photograph does this justice
blackdog: As I said in the intro, it was an outstanding exhibit, both conceptually and as a thing of "horrific" beauty.
Nice shot on this impressive artistic work !
blackdog: Thanks Zeb ;o)
  • Scarlet
  • Netherlands
  • 25 Sep 2007, 08:42
MM interesting concept. Her head looks like it's resting on her shoulder.
blackdog: Yes as I said to Martin, the head is attached, but unsupported. The concept is that you can have a new "designer" skin - should have made it clear that the parts are not solid, but translucent white.
  • Tracy
  • Great Britain (UK)
  • 25 Sep 2007, 11:12
Nice piece of art work, very clinical and sharp. Nice one Mike.
blackdog: Thank you Tracy
  • anniedog
  • United Kingdom
  • 25 Sep 2007, 12:02
I've just been on your colour photoblog and I think I agree that it's stronger in colour - the body seems to have more substance. A fascinating concept that really makes you think. BTW - re your ratcatcher, I don't remember signing a model release form!
Ingrid
blackdog: I didn't know rats needed a model release form??? Oh you mean the gorgeous lady taking the picture! Didn't catch her name. ;o)
That's an interesting piece of sculpture, Mike. Good photograph too. Works well in b & w
blackdog: Thanks Chad - the exhibit was brilliant.
This looks a lot more classic than the colour version, The B&W for me is a lot stronger image

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