These images are from Vogue, December 2003,and influenced by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Although I look at the fashion world quite skeptically, I can still appreciate the work that goes into the design and execution of the shoots. I like how the same source material can be used for art, fashion, music, music videos and many other forms of entertainment.
Literature is a classic art form and it is interesting to see it interpreted by both the fashion world and by Fine Artist and photographer, Anna Gaskell. Gaskell uses Carroll’s story in her 1996 -97 series Wonder, she creates photographs that leave the viewer with a feeling of unease and the idea that there is a feeling of sexual undertones in some of her imagery, mixed with the already slightly dark tones that Alice In Wonderland already has. She uses artificial lighting, unusual viewpoints and changes her image size to recreate the surreal world Alice visits and leaves the viewer with an uncomfortable feeling after viewing.
The fashion shoot doesn’t leave the viewer with the same feeling of discomfort, yet still carries on the surreal theme from the original literature. While Gaskell’s work has more depth to it, it is still interesting to see a lighter interpretation. To me, my way of interpreting it is that Gaskell’s work has a three dimensional quality to it, while the Vogue shoot is just two dimensional, no need for interpretation and although I like the imagery it is, after all just an advertisement for an article and clothing.
