Untitled 1976

Cindy Sherman made this photograph, and I mean MADE it, probably in the late 70s, early 80s, using black and white film. I say "made" because it is so obviously staged, set up, and performed. Look at how the silvery greys interact, they almost vibrate. Is this a portrait, or is it a character? I think it's a character, like a persona that Sherman is trying on for size. The way she's slouched on the chair, smoking, says "whatever" but the hair says "look at me", it's a great combination. Sherman is like a chameleon, taking on different roles to investigate how identity is constructed through images. It's almost like she's saying, "Hey, I can be anyone, because identity is just a performance anyway." It's a conversation that other artists like Laurie Simmons were having too. It's about questioning the image, and about seeing it for what it is: a projection.