A retrospective exhibition of work of Miles Aldridge at Somerset House, London
I'm going to be honest. I had never heard of this photographer and I definitely would have taken note of the name if I had seen any of these photographs. In fact, the only reason why I came across it was because I was lurking on Jodie Harsh's Instagram. Sometimes, crime pays.
Now, I know that this blog is meant to have an element of darkness but not necessarily in the literal sense. Aldridge's work is bright and bold in colour but very often has sinister dark undertones with a spank of sexual tension. There is definitely horror within his view of beauty. His photos are glamourous and almost plastic but they are still believable and I think this is because he still uses film over digital techniques. I love photographers that choose film over digital... no happy snappy click click bang bang over here! To me it means there's a little thought and time taken with these photographs and that attention to detail is paramount. It's a real testament not only to Aldridge's work but also with his team with the make up artists and hair stylists who transform these models into something so doll like.
There is a sense of exploitation and victimisation.... maybe I'll even say masochistic? There blank expressions make me feel like they are letting this happen or that their face says one thing. Perfect hair. Perfect make up. In seemingly perfect scenes. But their expressions say that their is something else on their mind. I love the violence vs vanity aspect. The colours pop out at you which for a second hides the sometimes sinister scene in front of you. I can definitely see where he gets his approach to women in the same way that Alfred Hitchcock approached his female starlets and he names him and as well as David Lynch as one of his main inspirations. Overall, I love the beauty in Aldridge's work and the dark and seedy undertones. I would show you more of his work... but I think it would be best if you investigate yourself.
If David LaChappelle for bright colour packed scenes or Guy Bourdin for fetish influenced and film- produced excellence suits your taste, you should definitely check this out.
Click the link below for more information
-JV-
