Yuri Toroptsov - "Marilyn and I" awarded special mention at Arles

Frederic Mitterrand, France's new Minister of Culture and Marilyn by Yury Toroptsov

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Yuri  Toroptsoy's work first came to my attention when he asked me if I would consider being in one of his Marilyn photographs. I don't know why, but I said no, but...I would love to show his work to my Shaded Viewers. I loved reading Marilyn Monroe by Joyce Carol Oates and more recently 'But That is another story' in Acne Paper by Amy Greene in conversation with Jenny Vagan.  However, I did not consider myself obsessed enough by Marilyn to pose with her dress.

 "Marilyn and I" is a photographic exploration of the theme of the profane and sacred. It is a series of portraits of admirers of Marilyn Monroe. Men and women of all ages coming from all walks of life but who share an emotional attachment to Marilyn are invited to pose next to a relic, an authentic summer dress from the personal wardrobe of Monroe. With "Marilyn and I" the photographer tries to capture the elusive moment when the real meets the imaginary because most of hs models never knew Monroe personally and for them she only exists in movies, books and most importantly in their imagination. 

"I photographed Frederic Mitterrand in 2007. One of the most interesting shoots I've ever had. Him and Douglas Kirkland, a photographer who photographed Marilyn Monroe in 1961. Frederic Mitterrand told me that he still mourned Marilyn Monroe, tha's why he deliberately put on a black suit for my photo. He lit his cigar and while I was busy clicking away, he submerged into some sort of melancholy. A very nice man, and now a minister." said Yury Toroptsov.

The photos will be exhibited at the SFR Young Talents gallery at 35-ter rue du Docteur Fanton, Arles, France 

July 7 to August 2009 - entrance is free

 

Yury Toroptsov under the dress

Yuri was born in 1974 in a small rural community near Vladivostok, Yury Toroptsov left Russia in 1998 to study at the New School in NYC after having won a scholarship . He got his master's degree in non-profit management and pursued a career in a non-governmental sector. In 2003 Yuri was a consultant to the United Nations, changed his profession to follow his life long passion, photography.

In 2008 he had a solor show at the Maison Europeenne de la Photographie in Paris. Recently he showed "The House of Baba Yaga" (2008) at Paris Photo. He now lives in Paris.

Later,

Diane