Ancient bones in a glass case seem static and stuck in the past compared to vibrant dresses and a living model’s beauty. But the dizzying thing is that the animals were once living and evolving, and the things that are living and evolving now will one day be themselves behind glass as a part of history gone by. As a common epitaph eternally muses:
Remember, men, as you pass by
As you are now so once was I
As I am now so you shall be
So kneel thee down and pray for me
In the ever-turning wheel, ironically, even museums themselves are in danger of becoming extinct. In a recent article about the changing face of cultural institutions, the author suggests that “museums were once the arks of culture. Now the artifacts at greatest risk may be themselves.”
So where does that leave the star of this thought-provoking shoot by Svenja Pitz? The vibrant styling by RAWfitting makes sure the contrast between the dusty museum pieces and the living, youthful model are at their most eye-catching; while Pitz’ photography emphasises the glass, a disconnect between the present and the past. It seems to suggest that while the past fascinates, it’s the present we should always appreciate the most. Beacause if our present doesn’t get immortalised in a Museum or on film, we won’t be there to tell the next generation to remember us as they pass by.
View the full shoot by Svenja Pitz at the gallery above.
