the self-portrait sessions

the self-portrait sessions are suites of self-portraits in which my two selves inhabit the same frame. Each image juxtaposes a stark self-portrait in the foreground against a softer idealized portrait reflected in the mirror; a literal reminder of the divide between one's self and one's self-perception. This project evolved out of a related project entitled; A child of sixties television singing songs that got stuck in her head, 2010. This video depicts me singing popular opening theme songs from late 50's and 60's television shows. My isolated serenade is captured as I sing to my reflection in a large mirror. In my renditions of Bat Masterson, Rawhide,Yogi Bear, The Mickey Mouse Club, and other once popular melodies, I enact rituals of self-intimacy and create a commentary on aging, memory and the inevitable advancement of time. In the process of singing for the mirror, I had to take still images for the purposes of focus and composition and those unintentional portraits began to interest me as much as the video work and so I began to take still images of myself in front of the mirror in earnest.

the self-portrait sessions, 2010
session one

the self-portrait sessions, 2010
session two

the self-portrait sessions, 2010
session three
(selected images)