'Bourdin's photographs are often richly sensual but also rely heavily on provocation and ability to shock. Additionally integrating erotic, surreal, sinister components, Bourdin configured a whole new visual vocabulary with which to associate the goods of haute-couture. The narratives were strange and mysterious, often plainly exhibiting violence and graphic sexuality. Evident through astute reading of his compositional and thematic presentation, Bourdin profited from the influence of a diverse collection of contemporaries: first and foremost, his mentor Man Ray, but also the photographer Edward Weston, surrealist painters Magritte and Balthus, and Spanish surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel.'
Okay why do I like this? They are clever, they are sexy, they are deliberate and directed. They are weird. There are stories happening here, or maybe not. Maybe we just have 'art'. It becomes sort of open ended. And theres also some darkness implied, but in each instance its sort of light and whimsical.
Legs? A body? is this a murder? Oh but her shoes are beautiful.
I don't know what to say, but this work occupies a very unique space, and I really enjoy it.
