Phillip DI Lorca

Phillip Di Lorca

(1951)

We discussed this photographer a little bit during one of our lectures. The work which we discussed was taken in 1993, the series of work which shows views of working rent boys in Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles.

What was remarkable about these images is that there Produced and exhibited with a title name as well as an amount it took for the subject to sit for the portraits.

The stark nature of the photographs with vivid lighting and lively colours resemble the likes of film stills, offering you a glimmer into the story line, you are given the starting point, the name and the cost, its then up to you as the viewer to figure out what’s happening.

For example the picture below taken in 1990-92. Phillip Di Lorca is known for his meticulous staging of images, everything from lighting to posture all controlled in advance for a price. As seen in the lower image this Human being cost $20 to sit for Phillip Di Lorca, it shows how cheap life is and that in a time of depression and a overwhelming need to gain money for what ever purpose, that humanity is for sale and is a commodity that people across the world are willing to barter, buy and sell.

Art knowledge, news,  Philip-Lorca diCorcia exhibits key photographic work, from: http://www.artknowledgenews.com/Philip-Lorca_diCorcia.html (accessed 15/05/2011)