Cindy Sherman was a key figure in the pictures generation. The purpose of the movement was to make art that analysed their relationship with popular culture and the mass media.
Cindy Sherman enrolled in the visual arts department at Buffalo State University, where she majored in painting. this was before she did photography. In the late 70s she switched to photography.
Cindy Sherman’s work is use of self-portraiture to create fictional characters and explore themes such as identity, representation, and the construction of femininity. She also To portrayed the various roles and identities of herself and other modern women.
Her work usually features photographs that depict herself dressed and made up as different female characters. Sherman’s photos are often interpreted as feminist art since her works raise questions regarding the objectification of women by the male gaze and the construction of the female gender.
Cindy Sherman’s photos were self portraits because a statue or a person was present every time. Cindy Sherman think her photos are not self-portraits because it looks nothing like her, she stated.
Cindy Shermans Photos In A
Mood board
Image Analysis
Visual
Sherman is looking away from the camera this implies she might be looking at someone or she might be guarded. By having the mirror it shows her back, which is quite revealing and it implies she’s quite vulnerable. In her left hand she’s is holding her own evening bag, this isn’t being held the correct way, by holding it like a weapon it shows she’s in danger. By seeing the smoke in the mirror it shows someone else is present in the room at the same time. She is posed with the right fist on her neck to support it this shows she may be uncomfortable or she might of hurt her neck. Furthermore there could be a bruise on her arm which would explain her discomfort and vulnerability.
Technical
The aperture in this Film Still is a narrow aperture because everything in the photo is in focus. A smaller aperture suggests there is a larger depth of field. The shutter speed is slow because you can see all of the details and there is no filming any action in this photo. I predict the shutter speed is 1/15-1/2. This photo is a full body shot because none of here body has been cut off. This photo has photographed the important things.
Contextual
Historically,media narratives have constrained women to follow what the man does. In the 1950-60s the film stills that Sherman made imply femininity that, through the media culture of movies, had a hold on America’s collective imagination at the time.The film also represented social class, status and reputation.
Conceptual
Overall, Cindy is using selfies to show she can deceive everyone and can be who she’s wants to be. Furthermore challenging mass media. This also relates to the current culture of phones and media.