Ophelia
2012 - ongoing
Gliding on transparent spaces, soft water, under branches or in the open air, Becken's Ophelia appear self-determined and at peace with themselves.
Looking into the camera assures their consciousness, unlike in literature, these women make the decision to be portrayed in water. When their eyes are closed, they seem to rest, to let go, to enjoy. They float, lose their heaviness, glide at one with nature. These motifs testify to a feminist lens. Their aspiration has nothing to do with the madness originally thematised, which draws from the loss of two male figures. Different, then, independent, these women show their insouciance and their own mystique.
© 2024 Kirsten Becken