I have posted my new image ISOLATION to inaugurate my new and improved website.
This photograph was shot in my studio. My friend Jason Coale helped me build the set. Based on his clever suggestion, we dyed each sheet of newspaper individually before adhering them to the wall. This technique created much more contrast between the pages. We ended up using fabric dye, when Lipton Tea failed to give me the look I wanted.
The model in this photograph is my friend Derek Moore, a brilliant computer programmer and amateur magician. I asked him to be in this image because of his long hair and crazy unkempt beard. I thought he looked like the last surviving member of the Donner Party. Later, once he was in full character and in front of my camera, I realized that he also looked a lot like Jesus. I believe this accidental inference only makes the image stronger. ”Drink this, for this is my blood. Eat this, for this is my flesh.”
Here is an amazing footnote: Walt Disney grew up at 3415 Charlotte in Kansas City. Derek Moore lives right next door at 3411 Charlotte (there is not 3413). 3415 is currently for sale.
I made the wound out of Morticians Wax and stage blood. The strips of flesh were made from latex that I dyed with red and black food coloring. I glued them to Derek’s arm with Spirit Gum so that he could pull on them with his teeth. The carved out section revealing bone was made and photographed separately, and then inserted using Photoshop. It was important to me that the wound be very deep.
This image was photographed on a Hasselblad with a PhaseOne back loaned to me by my friends and sponsors at Digital Labrador in Kansas City. Like my previous image FACE, the full size print is life-size with infinite detail – just the way I like it.
That’s it for now, kiddies. Bon appetite.
