In the 'Existing in Costumes, Fairy Tales' series by Toronto-based artist Chan-Hyo Bae, traditional tales are challenged and blown apart to reveal the social commentaries that lie beneath.
In a gender-bending performance, Hyo Bae channels his inner monarch by posing in a series of photographs as Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast. The images shown in this series are far from the Disney princesses who children have admired for generations, as Hyo Bae reveals a more realistic era-based demonstration of these regal women.
The imagery in this series is truly breathtaking, with a wonderful use of light and elaborate costuming to capture the essence of these women with such elegance and grace. The outfits adorned by this Canadian artist are shocking and convincing, making viewers forget all together that 'Existing in Costumes, Fairy Tales' is a masculine portrayal.
Regal Monarch Manipulations
'Existing in Costumes, Fairy Tales' Challenges Historical Traditions
Trend Themes
1. Gender-bending Reinterpretation - Opportunity for artists and designers to challenge traditional gender roles by reimagining classic stories and characters through new perspectives.
2. Social Commentary Through Art - Artists can use their creative platform to explore and highlight societal issues, offering a fresh approach to storytelling and sparking conversations.
3. Elegant and Elaborate Costuming - Fashion designers can draw inspiration from the use of intricate and detailed costumes to create extraordinary and visually captivating designs.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity for artists to challenge traditional narratives, push boundaries, and create thought-provoking works.
2. Fashion - Opportunity for fashion designers to integrate elaborate and imaginative costumes into their collections, offering a fresh and visually striking aesthetic.
3. Media and Entertainment - Opportunity for content creators to recontextualize classic stories, re-evaluate gender representation, and engage audiences with a more diverse and inclusive narrative.