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Posted Apr 19, 2011
"Who am I?"
"That's a secret I'll never tell".
Australian photographer Polly Borland takes us inside her head. Don't be mistaken: the portraits are only a camouflage.
A smudge is a dirty mark or a smear: note the word "dirty". There is something exquisitely sexual about dressing up. Polly Borland's world seems inhabited by men-women-creatures that cannot reveal their real nature. The true question is would their face do so for them?
It's a portrait and you can decide to be remembered as you wish. They don't need names, a defined sex or defined features. The disturbing fascination they create is linked to our fear of not being seen. What happens if even our portrait is smudged? Does it free you or the contrary?
The question of identity, appearance, self-appreciation, all get investigated
in a realm of sexual tensions.
Creatures that inhabit Polly Borland's world or ours as well? What's the
pertinence of a body?
Coming from one of the most important photographers of the century it needs our attention most definitely. After all Polly Borland was one of the eight chosen photographers to photograph the Queen for her Golden Jubilee. Might we add that her most renowned book "The Babies" 2001 (Fetishists to Babies) was introduced by Susan Sontag?
Yes, case open.
Text by Acelya Yonac
Related articles on Swide:
Source: www.designboom.com
TAGS: dolce&gabbana dolce & gabbana d&g d & g luxury online magazine polly borland design boom queen elizabeth golden jubilee royal family windsor australia artist the babies susan sontag photography smudge london art
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