Garçonne à la Pipe

photographed by: caro ramirez (website | blog | flickr); inspiration: garçon à la pipe by pablo picasso; image source: wikipedia

Last October (on my old blog the girl from hk, ldn & sf), I was very inspired by Picasso and orchestrated two photo shoots that were inspired by his Blue Period and Rose Period. I decided that October would be Picasso month, since he was born on October 25th, a day after my birthday. After doing some research on his Rose Period, I came across Garçon à la pipe (Boy with a Pipe) and was instantly mesmerized by the boy's gaze and body language. There is something so enigmatic and eerie about this boy. What I love most about this painting is the contrast between the masculinity and femininity. Is it unexplained why the boy is wearing a garland of flowers on his head, but I love this finishing touch. During early preparation for this painting, Picasso experimented with different poses, but decided on sitting down. The boy looks so relaxed, yet stiff at the same time.

I had planned to do an outfit shoot as a tribute to this painting in October, but I got busier and busier, so this shoot was postponed indefinitely. Until last week, Caro went to rent some props for her homework assignment photo shoot. I assisted her as a stylist and told her to rent some pipes as props for the shoot. She came back with this amazing prop pipe and I knew that this was the pipe I wanted for the Garçon à la pipe homage. This is my modern interpretation of the boy from 1905 in the painting. Dressing up like a boy isn't a challenge for me, since all I wear most of the time is high waisted trousers, button downs, blazers and loafers.

I hope to do more outfit shoots inspired by my favorite painters, paintings, artists and films. I'm planning to do more tributes soon: two of my favorite paintings by René Magritte, Golconda and The Son of Man and Henri Matisse's The Woman with a Hat (you know my undying obsession with hats). As for films, I want to do a photo shoot inspired by Before Sunrise, directed by Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Before Sunrise is one of my favorite dialogue films. Also, Blue Valentine and Black Swan. So I have many upcoming personal projects and student film projects. I'm going to be very busy for the next few weeks.

Just as a reminder to myself: Don't forget to breathe.