The group exhibition ‘Masked Ball’ presents portraits of people in a variety of masks – from animal heads to cheese slices. James’ work presents a departure from the norm of masked balls, with humans wearing formal clothing and animal heads. The urge to read emotion in animal faces is invoked here – do the animal masks tell us anything of the sitters? Or do they simply conceal the emotions on their faces? The series was shot on location in big brand boutique stores in Paris, and Reid questions whether buying branded clothing offers the chance to escape identification, to take on different personas.
The exhibition also includes photographs by Laura Hensser and Stuart Southwell. Although each photographer is using masks in portraiture, the results in each series is markedly different. Some unsettling, some funny, there is something for everyone. The exhibition is part of the ‘Be a Local Tourist in Greenwich’ (BLTG) event and British Tourism Week (15 to 21 March 2010).
Accompanying the exhibition, LIP member Nigel Rumsey presents a pop-up photo booth in the gallery on Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 March (12-4pm). Members of the public will be able to take their own self-portrait, either masked or unmasked, in the booth. Photographs taken will be printed out on the spot for the sitters to take home, and included in a slideshow of images projected in the gallery all weekend. This is a unique experiment to interact, and become part of, an exhibition – pop down to the pop-up photo booth and get involved!
Runs March 18 – April 5, 2010
Private View March 18th, 7-9pm
Open M-F 10am-5pm; Sat+Sun 12pm-4pm
Viewfinder Photography Gallery
Linear House, Peyton Place
Greenwich, London SE10 8RS
Nearest station is Greenwich (train / DLR), Cutty Sark (DLR)