Island Paradise, Cindy Sherman and MAC Cosmetics

I am spending some glorious days in my beautiful island of Puerto Rico. Style of choice....my bathing suit and boy shorts...that's it, no more...at least for a few days until I go back to the city and civilization.

Palm trees, warm sand, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore...

Pool side...

One of my favorite fruits, the "quenepa" or mamoncillo or honeyberry. You eat the sweet and juicy pulp. I swear, I think I've eaten like 40!

I promise to have some real outfits in the next few days...now for our art bit...Did you hear about the collaboration between famed photographer Cindy Sherman and MAC cosmetics?

CINDY SHERMAN AND MAC COSMETICS

Conceptual photographer and filmmaker Cindy Sherman (born 1954) is releasing a limited-edition collection with MAC Cosmetics in September. In conceptual photography the artist conveys an idea through the image captured. Sherman is best known for transforming herself through the use of makeup, prosthetics, wigs...and becoming the subject of numerous elaborately staged photographic portraits that question societal rules, the stereotypical roles women play, and more. The portraits are mesmerizing and grotesque. 

Photograph: MAC Cosmetics
http://www.bellasugar.com/Cindy-Shermhan-MAC-Pictures-Makeup-Collection-18482739?page=0,0,1#0 

 

Believe it or not, one of her works sold for $3.89 million - the highest price ever paid for a single photograph. 

Photograph: MAC Cosmetics
http://www.bellasugar.com/Cindy-Shermhan-MAC-Pictures-Makeup-Collection-18482739?page=0,0,1#0 

MAC Cosmetics is certainly known for their unique collaborations (RuPaul, Lady Gaga, Missy Elliot), so I am not totally surprised by their latest choice. Plus, in 2007-2008 Sherman created one of my favorites photographic series posing as characters that included “the aging doyenne” and  “fashion victim”, dressed entirely in Balenciaga. “The series was inspired by the idea of party photos seen so often in magazines where people, desperate to show off their status and connections, excitedly pose to have their picture taken with larger-than-life-size smiles and personalities,” Sherman said. Here, one of these photos - the dress, the glasses, yum!



Photo: Cindy Sherman and Metro Pictures from the Cindy Sherman "Untitled" (Balenciaga) Series: Untitled #462 (2007-8)

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/fashions-night-out-in-pictures/#more-103809

Photographs: MAC Cosmetics
http://www.bellasugar.com/Cindy-Shermhan-MAC-Pictures-Makeup-Collection-18482739?page=0,0,1#0



For me, it is exciting that the world of makeup and fine art photography are coming together. When we think about beauty, both the company and the artist are pushing boundaries. Ok, so we don't want to look like a circus clown, but the beauty is found in the richness of the colors and the theatrical perfection of the heavily made-up faces. Is it extreme? Definitively. Is it over the top? You bet....and that is exactly why I think they are absolutely stunning.

Until next time! Un beso, Taina Princess