Metallic Curves: "I feel so beautiful like never before"
"I wanted to stage the women like sculptures"
Silvana Denker has something against beauty ideals. She does not want women to be dictated by what they look like: slim, well-trained, perfect. That is why the photographer from the Rhineland-Palatinate Hövels makes pictures that question common beauty ideals. For her worldwide acclaimed BodyLove campaign, she photographed women in underwear in public places. Women we rarely get to see so unclothed. They have bacon rolls, cellulite, short hair and tattoos. And on Silvana Denkers photos they radiate a contentment and a self-confidence that are contagious.
For her new project Metallic Curves, she had women dress in size 42 and over with bodypainting paint in silver and gold. We have talked to her about her work and also let the women speak out, who have undressed for the unusual nude photographs.
Silvana Denker in action: For her project BodyLove she photographed women in underwear - in the middle of the city.
© Le? On Valje?ChroniquesDuVasteMonde: Your new photo project is called Metallic Curves. They show naked women who are painted from head to toe in silver or gold. What are these pictures about?
Silvana Thinker: At some point in the evening I sat with me on the couch and suddenly had this idea in mind, painting curvy women and taking pictures naked. Immediately I sat down at the PC and researched, whether that has ever done in front of me in this form. What I found were always photos of slim women. Thus, of course, my ambition was aroused to show that even fuller women look nude in some acrobatic poses beautiful and aesthetic. I wanted to do this artistically, to stage the women a bit like sculptures, so I decided to go for a body painting in gold and silver. I want to show how diverse the human body is, that there is not only one ideal that is always given to us, and that it is absolutely okay not to comply with it.
Who are the women who have undressed in front of your camera? And how did you find her?
The women are all not professional models, some were occasionally ever in front of the camera, some, for example, in my BodyLove actions. Others had no experience in front of the camera. After a call on Facebook, so many women had reported within a very short time, that I could book a whole weekend with appointments. That has overwhelmed me, since it takes over to get photographed completely naked. But it's also a really nice feedback for me, it shows that I'm trusted.
How long did it take for the models to be completely brushed in gold or silver?
I was fortunate enough to be supported by two great make-up artists (Ramona Geller and Ilka Müller) as well as my mother (who also participated as a model) and a good friend, also a participant. In part, two helpers have painted a model. Overall, it took between 30 and 60 minutes. Just when brushing we had a lot of fun.
What are the first reactions to the pictures?
After posting the photos on my Facebook page, I was overwhelmed by a flood of comments (even in Thai), within a day and a half the album has been shared almost 2000 times. I have received many e-mails from women who also want to be photographed and have already asked if I could also offer this in their city. Let's see, maybe a campaign will develop again. That's how it started with BodyLove. Anyway, I am overwhelmed by the response and am really happy that the photos are so well received.
Not only do you work as a photographer, you are also a plus-size model. Do you have the impression that the industry is slowly but surely changing? towards more diversity?
I have been actively involved in the industry since 2010, and a lot has changed since then, but there is still a lot to do. When I see what's possible in the US, that there are absolute superstars among the plus-size models, they can be seen on top-class fashion magazines, then Germany lags behind quite a bit. Unfortunately, I experience here that plus-size models are still a little ridiculed and sometimes not taken so seriously. But what is not, can still be, the course is set.
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