Thursday, October 26, 2017

Margarita Espinoza Reviews Philip-Lorca diCorcia

Philip-Lorca diCorcia is an American photographer born in 1951 that is known for capturing the truths and fictions within a photograph. The artist works in medium-scale chromogenic color prints. DiCorcia chose authentic people and places but would precisely orchestrate the setting of his photos as a way of conceptualizing the idea of photos as historical documentation. Instead of allowing the photos to be honest with the audience, the artist emphasized the dramatic nature of his staged composition. DiCorcia said, “And what medium has a stronger relationship to people’s idea of the truth than one that is supposed to be an accurate representation of reality?” The mixture of truths and fictions allow the audience to create their own narratives to coincide with these images.

I find this artist interesting because of the cinematic and narrative qualities that his work suggests while also providing evidence of experience and process with the random people and places he chooses to capture. Knowing the context and the nature of these photos I am also drawn to the importance of the props and placement which would otherwise be unintentionally captured or overseen.

 Eddie Anderson; 21 Years Old; Houston, Texas; $20. 1990-92.
“He photographed male prostitutes he approached on Santa Monica Boulevard, paying them whatever they typically charged for their services to instead pose in scenarios he had prepared for the photo sessions” (MOMA).

 Gerald Hughes (a.k.a. Savage Fantasy); about 27 years old; Southern California; $50. 1990-92.

 Bruce and Ronnie, 1982.

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