PREVIEW

AssetID: 30938509

Headline: ICONIC: Photographer Recreates Icons From History

Caption: A photographer has captured stunning recreations of icons from history. Etienne Clotis wanted to explore how some people transcend above others to become timeless. The French fashion photographer's ICONIC project features images of "individuals who have made their mark on their respective eras", depicting famous figures including those from cinema, music, art, science and sport. Subjects include icons from last century such as Marilyn, Warhol, Einstein and James Dean, as well as those we have lost in recent times, including Bowie, Ali, Prince and Michael Jackson. The ongoing series, to be exhibited in Lyon in April, sees Clotis collaborating with artist and designer Lucie Vervelle, and visual and makeup artist Joris Souris. The idea had first taken root in Etienne’s head, but it was only upon meeting Lucie that it began to take form. Soon after, the addition of Joris completed the artistic trio. A spokesperson for Etienne explains: "All three are passionate about history, idolatry, and the cult of the celebrity, and how these all tie into culture. “How is one person, and not another, able to make a mark on their time, and live on after their death?” It was from this question, and many months of long exchanges and preparations, that ICONIC became a photographic project and eventual exhibition. After devouring hundreds of biographies, documentaries and films, the culturally ravenous troupe of artists came up with their list of 100 men and women destined for stardom. "Each icon required their own preparations to the smallest of details and each piece reflects the impact the icon had on the photographer. Lucie designed the outfits, operating in a world that belongs solely to her and her magic fingers. She painstakingly researched her collaborators (models, hairstylists, artisans etc.) so that they could bring out the best in her creations. Joris went in search of different makeup techniques to create the necessary artistic illusions so that each model resembled their icon as much as humanly possible. Needless to say, this was of paramount importance to the project. These techniques along with Joris’ skill led to the morphing of the models to create illusions of ‘twinhood’ with their icons. Being the talented artist that he is, he also made several of the backgrounds present in the pieces. ​"As for Etienne, he gathered more material than needed in attempts to capture the essence of his subjects. He had to put himself in their skin so that he could deliver the crystal clear message he intended. All this pervades every photo, culminating in the light and atmosphere that surreally represents each of the chosen icons. This exhibition couldn’t have become reality without any one of the trio, it is truly the result of an intense collaboration." ICONIC, the exhibition, will see 100 different pieces on display in central Lyon from 6 to 16 April 2017 at Galerie Vis'Art.

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PersonInImage: Britney Spears lookalike