We will go through the interview with Melanie about the CRIME SCENES series.
Press Release
FASHION VICTIM
Melanie Pullen's photo exhibit, High Fashion Crime Scenes, opens in Milan...during Milan Fashion Week!
Melanie Pullen's photo exhibit, High Fashion Crime Scenes, opens in Milan...during Milan Fashion Week!
Fashion has always had a dark side, but it's never been traversed as provocatively as in photographer Melanie Pullen's critically acclaimed exhibition High Fashion Crime Scenes. In meticulously crafted large-scale photographs, authentic crime scenes are reenacted with a twist—not only are the corpses outfitted in designer vintage and couture, but you might recognize some very-much-alive actors like Juliette Lewis. Pullen's penchants for the macabre were initially inspired by Luc Sante's Evidence, a book of New York City crime scene prints compiled in the 20th century, but she also studied up on pre-’50s L.A.P.D. records. The resulting images are hauntingly beautiful, inspiring double and triple takes when you realize that amidst the photograph's grisly visage, the victim is clad in Chanel.
SAMANTHA GILEWICZ
Where does your interest in art stem from?
Growing up in Greenwich Village in the ’70s and ’80s—My entire family consisted of artists and writers. I learned photography by imagining what I wanted to make in my mind, and then making it happen. I honestly think this is the best approach to any art form.
SAMANTHA GILEWICZ
Where does your interest in art stem from?
Growing up in Greenwich Village in the ’70s and ’80s—My entire family consisted of artists and writers. I learned photography by imagining what I wanted to make in my mind, and then making it happen. I honestly think this is the best approach to any art form.
How did High Fashion Crime Scenes come about?Years ago I came across a book of crime scenes. I was always very taken aback by violent imagery but for some reason I was more fascinated with the composition of the photographs and the stories behind them. I realized how glamorized violence has become. This series really became about exploiting that sensibility.
How do you distract the viewer from the crime?
I was very inspired by the artistry I found in early crime scene photography--Many early crime scene photographers were also experimenting with photography as an art form. For me, it was very interesting to look at something so violent but to be totally swayed into how beautiful the image was. I'm also interested in the way the news has become a form of mass entertainment in our culture. In High Fashion Crime Scenes I highlight the more insignificant aspects of the situation. The models are also perfect distractions as beauty is the ultimate distraction from all problems.
I was very inspired by the artistry I found in early crime scene photography--Many early crime scene photographers were also experimenting with photography as an art form. For me, it was very interesting to look at something so violent but to be totally swayed into how beautiful the image was. I'm also interested in the way the news has become a form of mass entertainment in our culture. In High Fashion Crime Scenes I highlight the more insignificant aspects of the situation. The models are also perfect distractions as beauty is the ultimate distraction from all problems.
The exhibition has traveled around the globe. How has the response been different?
In Korea, people were very serious about the subject matter. In Los Angeles, I saw a woman putting on her lipstick in the reflection of a hanging woman—She was totally oblivious!
In Korea, people were very serious about the subject matter. In Los Angeles, I saw a woman putting on her lipstick in the reflection of a hanging woman—She was totally oblivious!
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