Ak Jansen

Department: Man and Identity
Website: www.akjansen.nl

(Dis)appearing

Contemporary culture is obsessed with the self-portrait. We style our lives for the outside world, turning it into a series of photo-ops. With this animated photo collection Ak Jansen explores the representation of himself. His styling excercise shows his endeavours to deal with conflicting desires – as a person but also as a designer. “Do I want to be careless or caring, masculine or feminine, depressed or clownish, sexual or prude, bored or over-entertained?” Contradictions are captured and exaggerated as Ak creates ‘sketches’ on his body. The result is a puzzling series of pulsating images that can be an inspiration for the fashion and accessories industry.