Taken in Los Angeles from 1997 until 2008, Philip-Lorca diCorcia’s Hustlers series
include total of thirty-six photographs. Neatly framed in white, his image carries
portraits of prostitutes in the neighborhood of Santa Monica Boulevard. The figure’s dignified stance expresses immense amount of
self-confidence. The title
holds information about each subject's name, age, hometown, and the amount of money Dicorcia
spent on each shoot.
The
mysterious and fictitious quality of his photo first intimidates the viewer
then causes curiosity to wonder who they are and where they are from.
Philip-Lorca diCorcia. Marilyn; 28 Years Old; Las Vegas, Nevada; $30. 1990-92.
The
series is composed of portraits of male prostitutes; Most of the subjects are
staring directly into camera while displaying a bored detachment from their
naked surroundings. It is apparent that artist wants to maintain a certain
distance from the subject matter.
Most
of times, Dicorica selected
public places gas stations and bus stops as his backgrounds but occasionally,
he also placed models in private places like motels and its interiors. The
artist confessed that shoot was almost always planned ahead. Only after
completing the preparation would he start a real shoot. Stipends equivalent to
a charge for prostitution were given to a model in exchange afterwards. His prearranged
idea is heightened by the use of artificial light, creating an uncanny tension. This visual composition offers a cinematographic
quality.
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ReplyDeleteI felt there was a lack of mentioning the fact that these boys somewhat exploited. These boys were payed for sex and were photographed after he had hired them out for such acts in a way he owned them for that time. He even states that as an artist by titling each piece with the amount he paid for the “trade”. And not only did he pay them very little for posing for his shoots (ranges from $20 -$60 where as models for fashion charge btwn $150-$1000 an hour) He made a huge profit and his career from these images.
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