Tomio Koyama

Laurie Simmons

23 May - 20 Jun 2009

© Exhibition view
LAURIE SIMMONS

Laurie Simmons creates photographic works of a world that she constructed with toys, ventriloquism dolls, and objets. She investigates the "artificial" by accentuated light and exaggerated color; 'Hitchcock's spacing, coloration and lighting is ideal,' says the artist. The photographs are made in series, and the next series starts only when the previous one completes, like a novel. Simmons was considered a feminist in New York in the 70's along with Cindy Sherman, but in fact it should be said that she works on a more fundamental matter such as the existence of human being, transcending gender. "I pursue the maximum realism in the given situation. But the result is distorted realism." ("A woman who sings the code - A dialogue between Laurie Simmons and Cindy Sherman" a quote from P.9, "LAURIE SIMMONS", PARCO publishing, 1987.) Within Simmons's photograph, the border dividing fiction and reality dissolves, and there we find dolls that respirates and humans standing still like mannequins.
 

Tags: Cindy Sherman, Laurie Simmons