Elena Dorfman: Fandomania: Characters & Cosplay - Softcover

McCormick, Carlo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1597110353 ISBN 13: 9781597110358

Publisher: Aperture, 2007

Synopsis

In her riveting new book, Fandomania, photographer Elena Dorfman examines the pop culture phenomenon of "cosplay," in which participants dress up in costumes--and live part of their lives--as characters from video games, animated films and Japanese graphic novels. The exploding cosplay subculture flourishes at convention centers, college dorms, private clubs and in homes across the country. Dorfman puts herself quietly behind the scenes of these fan-based events to create a remarkable collective portrait. As she describes it, "The theater of cosplay has no boundaries, is unpredictable, open-ended. It includes both the fantastic and the mundane, the sexually aberrant and innocent, female characters who become samurai warriors and brainy scientists, and male characters who magically change their sex." Explorations of identity through portraiture are at the forefront of Dorfman's work, with the blurred lines between fantasy and reality a continuing theme. She allows each individual a spotlight in which to enact his or her fantasy. The effect is pointedly evocative of this new world of role playing and narrative, one in which scenery is secondary and persona is everything. Comes with a special foam-bound cover and features an essay by Carlo McCormick.

About this title

Review:

"In a convention center somewhere, teenagers are lacing up shiny boots and squeezing into tight skirts to mimic their favorite anime or videogame characters. This is 'cosplay,' a sanctuary of Skittle-colored wigs, prosthetic ears and curious sexual subtexts... Dorfman's book of crisp, highly saturated portraits lets these costumed outcasts be who they are, which serves both her audience and her subjects." -- Daryl Lang --Photo District News

"Dorfman explores identity through portraiture, with the blurred lines between fantasy and reality a continuing theme. In this series, her pitch-black backgrounds allow each individual a spotlight in which to enact their fantasy. The book itself is a fetish object with its foam cover and PVC-like pages. Reason enough to buy it." --HotShoe

"As Diane Arbus did with her band of outsiders, Dorfman casts her subjects in regal, almost poetic light." -- Maura Egan --The New York Times Style Magazine

"Explore this exciting subculture with Dorfman and you might find yourself inspired to join the crowd." -- C.A. Boylan --Shutterbug

About this edition

• Publisher: Aperture
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1597110353
• ISBN 13: 9781597110358
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144