Through The Second Skin, Maren

by Richard Westerhuis

A photo series full of movement and rotations. Through The Second Skin painfully clarifies how much we need to shield ourselves to escape the bombardment of information in our society to remain true to ourselves. It shows how the models retreat into their self-made cocoon - as a form of self-protection - to be themselves in their own world within. Their emotions seem invisible to the outside world; they only show their shell, an armor, to the outside. They can no longer be touched. Thus, distance to the outside world is created. However, is this really the case? Looking closer, we see that the fabrics flow smoothly around their bodies. The models are wrapped up; as if it were an idea of Cristo, the famous wrapping artist. In the poses and postures of the models, the world of dance and movement is also recognizable. Limbs are stretched and backs are bent smoothly to create dramatic shapes. Sometimes you see a single body part appear outside the fabric, but most of the time the body parts are hidden. And many times you see an intense gaze through the shell. The shapes, the posture, and thus the gazes secretly reveal more than the models think. Thus, we are drawn into their world and become involved. In the photos where multiple models are hidden under the same fabric shell and thus engage in a relationship with each other, you see something else. Here, the creator introduces a powerful sculptural element, which keeps the intimacy of the posture that the models have assumed out of sight at first. Only after looking longer do you realize that these postures are universal for the connection that people make, their collaboration and collective strength when they put that collaboration into action.