Modern Mona

It should come as no surprise that we have many conversations about art here at Permanent. One such conversation recently revolved around the infamous Mona Lisa. We wondered about having the opportunity to see the precious painting in person at the Louvre, and speculated that the experience would likely be underwhelming. Given that assumption… why is the painting so priceless? We settled on a theory that hypothesized a good PR and marketing strategy over actual artistic merit and left it at that. 

Until we came across this project by Berlin-based husband and wife photographers Ute and Werner Mahler, and the magical spell of the Mona Lisa once again sparked curiosity. The project, titled  “Monalisen Der Vorstade” or “Mona Lisa of the Suburbs,” explores that in-between, not quite portrait, not quite smiling, mysterious energy she so elegantly exudes. Traveling to towns on the outskirts of major German cities, the photographers asked women on the streets (who fit an in-between girl/woman appearance) to pose as the Mona Lisa, as they recalled her. A credit to her notoriety, each woman could effortlessly interpret the universally known icon.

Just as the original painting itself, the photographs are hauntingly simple and beautiful. The formula of seemingly random women, in a particular non-descript location with the intent to channel the famous muse, results in a powerful presentation. 

Timeless intrigue. Damn you, Mona.

 

Ute and Werner Mahler’s “Monalisen Der Vorstadte” will be exhibited at Dittrich & Schlechtriem Gallery in Berlin from Nov 4- Jan 7. A selection of photos are also available as a book through Meier und Muller.

Photo credits: http://www.ostkreuz.de

-Tricia Khutoretsky