After looking at the people that passed in front of me in Union Square for about forty minutes, I asked myself what makes each person act differently, even if they are in the same place. During that time, I had the opportunity to watch a man who seemed to be talking to a bird, and who laughed along with it. I was intrigued by what is not considered the usual behavior of a man of around 50 years old.
With this man in mind, I chose “identity” as the word to get inspired to look for an artist. I searched online for artists that represent different types of “identity” of the self, and I found particularly interesting Cindy Sherman. Sherman is an American artist, photographer, and film director that creates socially critical work that touches upon the different roles of women in society. Most of her photographs are of herself but are not self-portraits. Instead, she uses the medium to become different characters in each of her images, and with that contribute a commentary on the role of women in society and the art world. Each of Sherman’s photograph is ambiguous and confuses the viewer on which is the real personality of the artist. To depersonalize even more her oeuvres, Sherman calls them “Untitled” accompanied with a number.
Below are photographs that portray her style and intentions with her art.
Untitled. 2010.
Untitled #264. 1992.
Untitled #417. 2004.
Untitled #397. 2000.
Bibliography
“Art – Cindy Sherman – Photographer, Model, Director, Actor, Avant-Garde Images, Doll Parts and Prosthetics, Movies.” Biography – Cindy Sherman – Photographer, Model, Director, Actor, Avant-Garde Images, Doll Parts and Prosthetics, Movies. Accessed July 10, 2018. http://www.cindysherman.com/art.shtml.
“MoMA | Cindy Sherman.” Willem De Kooning. Woman I. 1950–52 | MoMA. Accessed July 10, 2018. https://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2012/cindysherman/#/0/.
