Woman Portrait Gallery #2 — April 2024
Vassilis Konstantinou
“Persona”
This photograph is part of Vassilis Konstantinou's first image series. It is the portrait of his wife, from the series “Common People” from 2012. As in his later works, Vassilis Konstantinou prepared and staged the motif and the setting. Thematically, Vassilis Konstantinou often refers to the great dramas and myths. In this case, the inspiration is the movie “Persona” by Ingmar Bergman.
The film from 1966 is about two women in a house by the sea and the complex relationship that unfolds between them. One of the two women, Elisabet, does not speak, but the audience understands her feelings and follows the narration through metaphorical scenes and intense close-ups of the actors. Alma, the nurse caring for the mute Elisabet can speak — but Ingmar Bergman makes it feel as if the listener says more than the person speaking.
The reference in Vassilis Konstantinou's photo is aesthetically and formal, with the choice of the lens and the framing, the shadows and a high contrast. It is the enigmatic expression and a somewhat nostalgic look. And like the protagonist in the film, the woman in Vassilis Konstantinou's portrait cannot speak. As with Bergman, the face speaks by showing feelings that words cannot express. Words that are part of a defensive system are removed.
Vassilis Konstantinou: “Ingmar Bergman explores the female psyche and identity. It is not about the differences between men and women and he is not interested in defining any boundaries. His focus is on exploring the female mind and the complexity of female emotions. Men play no role in the masterpiece Persona.”
The film from 1966 is about two women in a house by the sea and the complex relationship that unfolds between them. One of the two women, Elisabet, does not speak, but the audience understands her feelings and follows the narration through metaphorical scenes and intense close-ups of the actors. Alma, the nurse caring for the mute Elisabet can speak — but Ingmar Bergman makes it feel as if the listener says more than the person speaking.
The reference in Vassilis Konstantinou's photo is aesthetically and formal, with the choice of the lens and the framing, the shadows and a high contrast. It is the enigmatic expression and a somewhat nostalgic look. And like the protagonist in the film, the woman in Vassilis Konstantinou's portrait cannot speak. As with Bergman, the face speaks by showing feelings that words cannot express. Words that are part of a defensive system are removed.
Vassilis Konstantinou: “Ingmar Bergman explores the female psyche and identity. It is not about the differences between men and women and he is not interested in defining any boundaries. His focus is on exploring the female mind and the complexity of female emotions. Men play no role in the masterpiece Persona.”