Courtney Paige Photography
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| Courtney Paige worked with photographer, Ryan Cooper, make up artist Ashley Rose, and actress Jordana Largy on this conceptual piece they titled: PAINTED BLACK. |
I had to check and register with myself at the title next to the woman in what I initially thought was deep dark shadow. My next looks at the subject suggested what wasn't obvious and then a quick read and I saw the briefest snippet of your concept. It is a dare to go forth with this concept of darkening a white woman's body to sell an idea, or a product, but in the name of art, or a dream is that OK? If it is will the artists be safe publicly?
I think the challenge should fall upon the viewer to ride through the gamut of emotions, objections, feelings of awe at the sheer beauty of something intangible caught on camera, and wrestle with the facts of and the memories of the 'black face' traditions of vaudeville 100 years ago. Perhaps this photographic journey should be drawn out in the context of history, and the evolution, or stagnation of cultural paradigms and hard held feelings about race, supremacy, and freedom of expression.
It is very different and difficult for artists, healers, and dreamers and musicians to live the way we do. Finding the medium and the sacred space to share the things we've dared explore and tackle and come to grips with is hard, or easy enough. It depends upon who is the listening, or viewing audience. The general population are masses of people caught within the mundane who have yet to peer into the worlds their lives come from. The explorations of a healer, for example, would terrify the average person he/she comes to help. It is not a judgement. It just is this way. We all have our roles and gifts. It is just that in the acceptance of roles the magical people dare to challenge what their perspective audiences fear to look deeply into.
Artists, and creative people, by the nature and force of their insights and direct access to the Dream Time, walk a thin line with our dependence upon making our money through our arts, or regular jobs. The general population surrounding us judges us more than they judge themselves. This leaves the proverbial 'them' with no choices, it seems, beyond being quick to react and slow to reflect and think deeply as each challenge demands of them.
I wish you'd fleshed out this idea of yours, and let others either catch up with you, if you are coming from an enlightened place, or learn from the backlash. Either way it would have been in service to the world-at-large.
These are my words.
- Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories
African/Muskogee/Absaroka Indian
1.19.14
It is very different and difficult for artists, healers, and dreamers and musicians to live the way we do. Finding the medium and the sacred space to share the things we've dared explore and tackle and come to grips with is hard, or easy enough. It depends upon who is the listening, or viewing audience. The general population are masses of people caught within the mundane who have yet to peer into the worlds their lives come from. The explorations of a healer, for example, would terrify the average person he/she comes to help. It is not a judgement. It just is this way. We all have our roles and gifts. It is just that in the acceptance of roles the magical people dare to challenge what their perspective audiences fear to look deeply into.
Artists, and creative people, by the nature and force of their insights and direct access to the Dream Time, walk a thin line with our dependence upon making our money through our arts, or regular jobs. The general population surrounding us judges us more than they judge themselves. This leaves the proverbial 'them' with no choices, it seems, beyond being quick to react and slow to reflect and think deeply as each challenge demands of them.
I wish you'd fleshed out this idea of yours, and let others either catch up with you, if you are coming from an enlightened place, or learn from the backlash. Either way it would have been in service to the world-at-large.
These are my words.
- Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories
African/Muskogee/Absaroka Indian
1.19.14
http://www.courtneypaigephotography.ca/blog/?target=952
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| Jordana Largy in black makeup. |
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