Revista Shandy PRESENTS
THE M PEOPLE
Two photographers in the sight of Rodolphe Simeon
When I see the picture of “The M-People” I actually see two different photographers, parallels in their silent cry, but two expressive beings. Nonetheless the wildest one is the photographer of the “Madame” or “Mother” photographs where the reference is mixed with the complex language of the painting. in this “photograph being” where the convergence between the painting and the picture pretends a digital alteration and gets its complete mix.
painting and the photograph. The former conveys the artist’s validation or invalidation , and the latter provides a visual representation of the element. In most of the pictures, the value of color is superior to human as an element. Magentas colors dominate under the commune white of the models, taking them to a second visual place. At least that’s what it seems at the first sight . However, the good Simeon frequently uses this technique to highlight the poor human form.
There is violence in the calm looks, the rigid positions, the indifference of the camera. All results in an abstract sign of humanity. A sign that tries to express both: the
The colors of the pieces transform the persons in to feelings. White kills the model, magenta gives artificial life and there is only left a sing of the dehumanized feeling.
The other photographer, the tamer one, is author of the remaining photographs. The way he show us this work is beyond pictures that try to express vague and undefined feelings. Feelings that belong to the music, not to the visual. Watching pictures as “A sweet taste in the mouth” or “Scissor brothers” make me think of bars in the High street, or any street of alternative people in New Zealand. They are really clean pictures, carefully executed. The picture then contrasts with the sign. They fight. Mickey Mouse looks at us threatening us as if we tried to take away his apple. But it is not dirty enough. Even when the blood drains thru the face, is a very clean work. However, there is something interesting in this.
Is Mickey Mouse the hero that has stolen the apple, or is it that him and all his buddies are the guardians of the golden apples? I don’t like the references of visual arts. They are so plastic. Plastic photographs. So much culture. Even that way, we can feel an aesthetic quality in each photo. An idea of spaces and complementary elements. The knowledge on his perspective: the third person. The artist. An other “M person” is more important than his study of objects when he shoots the camera. By Christian Cortés Translate: Xochitl Arellano
The Gallery of Rodolphe Simeon in site: http://www.m-peoplephotography.com/