Lorna Simpson - Stereo Styles

Camera Austria (International)
123, 2013

"Simpson is asserting the historical reconfiguration of the photographic archive, but also that of art and memory."

Stereo Styles, 1988. 10 Polaroid prints, 10 engraved plastic plaques.
Photographs 35 x 31 inches each, plaques 3 x 6 inches each, 66 x 116 inches overall.

 Lorna Simpson's 'Stereo Styles' consists of ten images focusing on the back of a head; each featuring a unique hairstyle. Accompanying the images there are also ten descriptive words that each invoke a different feel or emotion about the photographs; ‘Daring,’ ‘Sensible,’ ‘Severe,’ ‘Long and Silky,’ ‘Boyish,’ ‘Ageless,’ ‘Silly, ‘Magnetic,’ ‘Country Fresh,’ and ‘Sweet.' While Simpson herself as a feminist photographer intended to make the audience judge through these phrases, and portray how people jump to conclusions about a person without even seeing their face, it also adds a humorous element; ironic considering the serious social  meanings of her collection.

While the message that she portrays is meant to prove a point about sexism and racism, the viewer finds themselves more drawn to the image because it appears to be 'fun' and 'playful;' happen not dissimilar from portraits seen in magazines. Also, the words on the black plaque add an element of interactivity to her work as the viewer attempts to match up the descriptions with the hairstyles.

Whether intended or not, it is interesting to think about how different people would respond to the images, and whether they are received as serious and meaningful as intended or just as interesting to look at.