CINDY SHERMAN: EARLY WORKS
11th January – 9th June 2013
Florence, Italy - Gucci Museo is pleased to announce Cindy Sherman: Early Works as the third contemporary art exhibition of works organised thanks to M. François Pinault. Curated by Francesca Amfitheatrof.
Cindy Sherman is a pioneer of photography as an art form. Working alone acting both as actor and director, she portrays characters using herself as the object and with the use of makeup and clothes she literarily transforms herself into the subjects whose life story she explores. Following her graduation in 1976 whilst living in Buffalo, Sherman,
together with a group of artists, created an artist space called
Hallwalls. In a period spanning one year this enterprising and
tight-knit group created works and organised numerous exhibitions. We
are delighted to be showing three bodies of work from these immensely
important and formative years.
The contemporary art space
Details
Cindy Sherman: Early Works
Starting with Murder Mystery, 1976, Bus Riders, 1976 and Doll Clothes 1975. Unfortunately the original cutout photographs of Murder Mystery and Bus Riders were lost. But In 2000 Sherman reprinted both these bodies of works as a series of complete images . What is fascinating is to see from this series, are the mechanics of her working methodology.
Murder Mystery People, 1976-2000 is a story narrated through stereotypical characters based on an imaginary crime movie. The story is centred on a 1930’s has-been actress who falls in love with the movie’s director. The immediacy of photography conveys the characters with a mixture of delight, cruelty and humour. The initial body of work was storyboarded as a film and the characters were shown as cutouts, which included 82 scenes, hung around the exhibition space like a mini movie. In 2000 Sherman reprinted, as black and white prints, 17 of the characters she had created.
Murder Mystery People, 1976-2000 is a story narrated through stereotypical characters based on an imaginary crime movie. The story is centred on a 1930’s has-been actress who falls in love with the movie’s director. The immediacy of photography conveys the characters with a mixture of delight, cruelty and humour. The initial body of work was storyboarded as a film and the characters were shown as cutouts, which included 82 scenes, hung around the exhibition space like a mini movie. In 2000 Sherman reprinted, as black and white prints, 17 of the characters she had created.
Bus Riders 1976-2000 was originally created for the
first Photo Bus exhibition exhibited on Metro Bus 535. Acting out the
typical every day characters found riding a bus, Sherman’s use of
detail, persuades us to confront and absorb her narrative. By
transforming herself with the use of facial expressions and poses she
creates an immediate distinction between each character.
The link between film (which she studied at college) and performance, is not to be underestimated and was crucial in developing her unique working narrative.
The link between film (which she studied at college) and performance, is not to be underestimated and was crucial in developing her unique working narrative.
The animated film Doll Clothes, from 1975 (made whilst still in
college) is centered on Sherman as a cut out figure in her underwear
trying out different clothes. A real life hand that appears oversize in
the frame, grabs the figurine, strips her and places her back in the
plastic sleeve of the book. This oversized hand embodies society and
women’s confrontation with conformity, structure and identity.
This seminal body of work represents Sherman’s deep involvement in the study of gender and identity, which Sherman has continued to develop over the following years.
Unfortunately the original cutout photographs of Murder Mystery and Bus Riders were lost. But In 2000 Sherman reprinted both these bodies of works as a series of complete images.
This seminal body of work represents Sherman’s deep involvement in the study of gender and identity, which Sherman has continued to develop over the following years.
Unfortunately the original cutout photographs of Murder Mystery and Bus Riders were lost. But In 2000 Sherman reprinted both these bodies of works as a series of complete images.
Photo Credits:
Untitled (Bus Riders I), 1976-2000
© Cindy Sherman
Untitled (Murder Mystery People), 1976-2000
© Cindy Sherman
Doll Clothes, 1975
© Cindy Sherman
Untitled (Bus Riders I), 1976-2000
© Cindy Sherman
Untitled (Murder Mystery People), 1976-2000
© Cindy Sherman
Doll Clothes, 1975
© Cindy Sherman
