Photographer Cindy Sherman is the Salvador Dali of our times. And the Andy Warhol. And the Picasso. And so on. Her work is comparable to those iconic artists because, she, like they, broke artistic ground, making a name for herself that immediately identifies her art. Think Warhol: think soup cans or Marilyn Monroe. Think Dali: think melting clock. Think Picasso: think Guernica. Think Sherman: think a wide-range of female archetypes photographed, many of them Cindy Sherman, herself, in disguise and costume. There is no one like her, and all similar photography is derivative. She is both a cult icon and a cutting-edge artist. Here is her Astrology archetype profile:
Cindy Sherman was born January 19, 1954. A third decan Capricorn (nearing the cusp of Aquarius), a person born on this tenacious Sun sign birth date is focused and intellectual. Perhaps the most compelling quality of this decan, is the dislike of rules and boundaries. This is the Sign of a person who relishes freedom, and as a result, retains an ability to break new ground and attract many followers. This decan also allows for a somewhat cold and unemotional perspective (explaining, perhaps, the choice of a camera as an artist’s tool), but it also predicts a great amount of success, both materially and professionally. Sherman’s moon is in Leo, which grants her an even stronger leadership role, and adds to the great energies and discipline of two combined powerful Zodiac archetypes. In Capricorn, the goat keeps climbing, no matter what the obstacles. In Leo, the lion roars to gain attention and also to defend her territory. Both of these Signs predict great success, but here the Leo indicates a goal directed towards self-realization rather than self-aggrandizement. You can see the questions & answers in Cindy Sherman’s untitled stills. They are all purposeful archetypes (hence, untitled) and they reveal how superficially our culture views women in all stations of life and situations.
Over the past several decades, Cindy Sherman’s work took a disturbing, graphic turn portraying mannequin body parts in grotesque positions and conditions. Some of us wanted to look away (reminiscent of Warhol’s death silkscreens), but I believe Sherman was saying look how badly we objectify women (and all people). To some, they are merely body parts.
Cindy Sherman’s work is held by many museums (that’s where I first came across her photographs). She is he recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship "Genius Award." During the past several years, she also has photographed advertisements for fashion designer Marc Jacobs, and has created album covers for various indy bands.
She is a cult-art-figure and also an artist to be taken seriously; her works sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars - and more.
Her Astrology archetype predicts continued success in her chosen field of work. Her stature will grow with time. But I see a greater need for her to spend time on her inner-life, now. Time spent in self-realization will help her step forward in a completely new and radically different direction. We are all in for a surprise.
Photo,Untitled Film Still #48, Face Value:American Portraits, The Parrish Art Museum exhibit, 1995
09.24.09
