Presentation Plan
I think the strength of this series is in its uniformed and consistent approach to portraiture. As such I would want the ideal presentation to reflect this uniformity. I don’t want to overcomplicate the concept and want the way the subjects are dressed to be the main point of difference in the images. The series would be extended with many more subjects of a similar age who are part of a sub- culture or who creatively express themselves physically.
I would print the images at a larger size, slightly smaller than the 5x7ft Thomas Ruff prints at approx. A0, on the same lustre paper and display them in a traditional plain white, evenly lit gallery space. The photos would be all evenly spaced and at the same eye-level height with consideration given to the sequencing of portraits, 3⁄4 crops etc. I would have the images mounted on a thin board to pop out from the wall and eliminate the need for any obtrusive pins. I think this is a more contemporary way of exhibiting the photos as opposed to the traditional framing and draws the focus back to the subjects. The room would ideally be rectangular with a bench in the middle of the room encouraging the audience to rotate around the room in a linear order and give each portrait individual attention.
Similar to the Ruff exhibition in terms of spacing and repetition.
Board mount example
I would also include a grid format using the same style of mounting with images that focus in on details and movements of the subjects such as accessories, hair, hands, tattoos. There would be no face to identify the subjects so viewers would have to match up aspects of clothing to the straightforward portrait images. This series would act as a reprieve from the serious portraits and as a point of difference to the Thomas Ruff series. It would aim to celebrate rather than be cynical towards self expression and identity.
Example set up sketch