DIANA MICHENER
Her Erotic Book of Twenty-eight Figure Studies
A project that was first realized 14 years ago is making its publication debut in the form of the photo book Twenty-eight Figure Studies by Diana Michener. A black and white exploration of human intimacy and the heightened cognitive euphoria it can evoke, Michener presents photographic stills of subjects from films, suspended in moments of obscured and carnal pleasure. Blurry, grainy, and at times, barely recognizable, figures are portrayed in the private act of intercourse; the imagery unequivocally brazen and emotionally aware.
Diana Michener spoke with PROVOKR on her process of creation, saying, “I used a variety of films, most of which were not pornographic, to make what I consider profound erotic images. I use the word erotic instead of sexual, as I feel erotic has the capability to arouse the mind, and sexual only relates to the physical. I chose films that were beautifully photographed, and allowed me to be true to my devotion to the photographic greyscale and my love of chiaroscuro.”
While Twenty-eight Figure Studies is innately deep-rooted in the act of sex, this is certainly not the central focus of the body of work. Michener speaks on her intentions for viewers to consider the concept of elevated emotional consciousness in lieu of pornographic imagery. “I hoped, with this body of work, to visually enrich others by presenting a new way of seeing intimacy, and by applauding the freedom of ecstasy, of rapturous delight.”
Straightforward in her work, as well as her elucidation of its motivations, Michener’s very core of creation appears to be rooted in polished boldness. “When I say my work is about me, I mean it is personal work, intensely mine,” she notes. “Perhaps having the work shown when I am 80 is even more relevant than when I was 66. I feel as one ages, the body falls away from us and allows room for [ecstacy].”
Twenty-eight Figure Studies is published by Steidl. To learn more about the book, visit here.
