Phebe Schmidt has cultivated an impressive professional portfolio which includes contributions to publications such as Dazed & Confused and ID. When it comes to her personal work, Schmidt has accomplished a distinct, surreal aesthetic that you won't soon forget.
Her images feature models who lay so still, it's hard to determine if they're real or mannequin, as well as colorful still-life compositions with a high-fashion flair. In one particularly creepy shot, a model-mannequin wears a plastic bag over her head, gazing through it with a deadened look in her eye.
Though immaculately orchestrated, the images appear stagnant; there's an absence of movement that is more than a little unsettling. However, it is this discomfort that adds so much intrigue to Schmidt's work.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Realistic Mannequin Models
- Exploring the use of mannequin-like models in photography and fashion can disrupt traditional advertising and challenge beauty standards.
- Surreal Still-life Compositions
- Creating still-life compositions with a surreal twist offers opportunities for artists and designers to introduce unexpected elements and evoke strong emotions.
- Unsettling Aesthetics
- The use of discomfort and absence of movement in art and photography can create intriguing and thought-provoking experiences for viewers.
Where This Applies
- Fashion Photography
- The fashion photography industry can adopt the use of mannequin-like models to showcase alternative beauty standards and push boundaries in advertising.
- Art and Design
- Artists and designers can incorporate surreal elements into their still-life compositions, challenging traditional aesthetics and sparking conversations about perception and reality.
- Advertising and Marketing
- By embracing unsettling aesthetics and incorporating discomfort into their campaigns, advertisers can capture attention, evoke strong emotions, and create memorable experiences for consumers.
