Most women (and maybe some men) seem to associate the Disney princesses with some aspect of their childhood. My personal favourite would have to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid. I think that was one of the first Disney movies I watched as a child and I still love it to this day. Little girls are conditioned to look up to these princesses: Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty. These figures become cultural icons that shape our childhoods and ultimately our views on women in society.
I went to the Listel hotel on Robson Street this weekend to see Dina Goldstein’s photographic perspective on these princesses. The artist uses the princesses and puts them in modern day situations: Snow White with six children (including her dog and partner) as her lazy Prince Charming lounges in his chair, a half-eaten bag of kettle chips and a messy living room complete the scene, or the Little Mermaid stuck in an aquarium, a little boy gawking at her like an object.
(Dina Goldstein’s Snow White photograph was American Photo’s runner up for Image of the Year in 2009)
“In all of the images the Princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict. The ‘…happily ever after’ is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues” (via Fallen Princesses)
I heard about this exhibit from a friend when it was showing at the Buschlen Mowatt sometime last year. Lucky for me they moved the exhibit to the Listel Hotel on Robson, where in 1990 shifted their focus to the arts and artists, gaining the reputation of Vancouver’s more “art-full hotel”.
The fact that I was able to walk into the hotel, and not be questioned while viewing an entire art exhibit made the experience that much more unique. The hotel provided information on the artists, as well as a few other exhibits by Betty Gold, John McEwen and Vincent Magni.
The content of these photographs is what I really want to write about, however. For someone who appreciates feminity and all things associated with it can while at the same time being aware of modern issues, I really loved this exhibit. It makes the viewer a little uncomfortable, while at the same time, the ability to recognize who these characters are eases that uneasy feeling. Not only do I love this tension, that Goldstein creates, but I love how the artist challenges the traditional goals and values that women are taught to strive for in their lives.
“…the Prince usually saves the day and makes the victimized young beauty into a Princess” (via Fallen Princesses)
Ultimately, the artist is interested in “imagining Disney’s perfect Princesses juxtaposed with real issues that affected women around [her], such as illness, addiction, and self-image issues” (via Fallen Princesses). If you’re looking for something a little controversial, like photography, enjoy not paying to see an art exhibit, and love seeing another individual’s take on the formulated Disney story, here’s your chance.
Dina Goldstein is a Vancouver-based photographer with careers in editorial and commercial photography and has received numerous awards for her talent in the art.
[EDIT: research tells me that the exhibit is only on display until December 30th, however, the photographs are still displayed throughout the lobby of the hotel. Another exhibit currently occupied the gallery itself, but the photographs are still viewable. But go quick in case they decide to take them down!]
You forget the most important part of the tales though. It isn’t being a “Princess” that magically creates their Utopian life begin. It’s the magical power of money, which works just as well in the real world. The real feat these princes preform is dragging these women from poverty into a much higher tax bracket than is depicted in any of these pieces of art. It’s not really an accurate comparison and thus becomes a pompous act of artistic self pleasure in my eyes. It’s more accurate to make Cinderella a playboy bunny about to be married off to Hugh Hefner. Jasmin is the oil barren’s daughter who happened to fancy the mail boy at Dad’s office. That is the true story, the happy ending was cold hard cash. The same ending many women still strive for everyday.
You are very right, and I completely overlooked this when I went and saw her work. Thank you for showing me a different perspective. I hope others have different interpretations as well.
Daria, you are missing out on one very important point: these are Disney princesses. These are not photos of a drunk Paris Hilton or a dead Casey Johnson; it’s the Little Mermaid and Snow White. The little girls who envision the Utopian surroundings these characters inhabit don’t know about tax brackets and stock options. What this exhibit is playing on is the difference between the Disney vision played out for children and the realities of life as shown by Rapunzel getting chemo therapy or Ariel being a freak in a tank.
The “happy ending” some women strive may be cash, but the drive is based upon unrealistic images that bombard young women every instant of their lives. It is a symbiotic relationship. If women did not want these things, these thing would not be sold to them. It is the desire for this lifestyle that is cranked out by Hollywood films and the Disney “Magic.” That this magic doesn’t exist is the real point of these pictures, not how or why it is created and maintained.
Great thoughts, Baron.