Body Talks (Mind, Bodies & Thoughts)

Anything Could Happen

I’ve been off and on the saddle since my last post: missing opportunities, (narrowly) missing deadlines, clinging on small bursts of inspiration, but not following them through, getting frustrated at my rusty movements, at my lack of fluidity when being on pointe, at not keeping up with the fast-paced counting, getting excited again by the prospect of organizing an art event next year, getting more frustrated by the fact that – for the past 3 weeks, I struggled with my daily to-do-lists – feeling enthusiastic about the work from some fellow artists and friends.

I’m not sure where I am going with this [post]. Not sure I should read anything into this “chaotic” period either. Perhaps it is a perfectly normal state to find myself in – I have not fully reconnected with my practice so why shall I put unnecessary pressure on a work that has yet to be created? Why not just enjoying the moment when anything creatively could happen?

The Blumenfeld Experience

Trying not to waste a thought; but if I’m not doing it tonight, I know it’ll drag until it’s gone!?

So here it is – a quick post about photography or, shall I say, a short list of my first impressions on the exhibited work, at Somerset House, from a Master that is Erwin Blumenfeld:

– I loved the exhibition. Very rich to the point of overabundance but such an education for anyone interested in the medium or with an eye.

– Blumenfeld’s photos made Vogue’s covers (iconic). Not the other way round.

– Behind the glamour hides authenticity and humility. Not once I had to question his motives. His “mission” could be seen as being basic for the artists of today but it takes some guts to make simplicity your sole angle and to stick to it.

– Behind the simplicity of his work’s set, poses, ideas lies subtle points about gender, the female body (and its image), the representation of men in photography, aesthetic & the visual manipulation of the (female) body.

– Even if Blumenfeld’s work has fantasized the 50’s, it shows how complex of an era they were.

– I need to immerse myself back into the 50’s…

– Blumenfeld’s relation to Beauty is intimate. The idealized image of women seems to be the result of his personal relation with his muses. Blumenfeld is a woman’s lover.

– Blumenfeld’s words are inspiring.

– Blumenfeld’s self-depiction of being an amateur photographer has given me hope.

– I can see how his work has influenced the like of Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts.

– His early work is very Cocteau-esque.

– Erwin Blumenfeld might have become a new hero of mine.