Reenactor Moment is part of a multimedia project that documents World War II reenactors in the American South, Northeast, and Midwest. Tom Waits famously said "I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things". As an artist, I enjoy the same. Oddly, the most dangerous qualities of human beings and the most beautiful qualities of human beings both emanate from the same place. The women and men who reenact, assert that “history is a personal thing”. And for them, it may be quite true. Playing Soldier is a documentary film by Ed Gendron on same subject.
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"Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride" - FRAMED photo - limited edition of 40 - outside dimensions 16x20 inches, - image approx 10x15 inches
This image is from my Documentary series, "Reenactor Moments". The series is a little glimpse into a strange subculture where people reenact WW2 on their own time, for fun, over many weekends every year. They are unpaid, it's a labor of love for them. The work is quirky, surreal, beautiful, and a little unsettling.
I'm pretty proud of this series. Reenactors often stage mock "battles" for the public. They also reenact everyday living. This image is of a staged, forties-style, movie theater. Inside which, they played movies from that time period... at least for that weekend.
I thought the whole thing had the feel of an Edward Hopper painting. So I asked the young lady to look off somewhere to her left - and I created this image right there, on the spot. With all the vintage vehicles and aircraft reflected in the windows, it looked as if she were selling tickets, not to a movie, but to a strange world that was stuck partially in 1943, and partially in the present day.
All prints are high-quality, archival prints, and signed by myself, for authenticity. This is a limited edition of 40.
The paper is acid-free, smooth, and archival, meaning it will last longer than I will.
Shipping is included in the price. No need to factor it in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLK-VKqFKbO/
You can find me on Instagram: @edwingendron
All work copyrighted © by Edwin Gendron. Artist reserves all rights protected under the United States Copyright Act for all artwork or other products purchased. The sale of a given artwork does not include any assignment, transfer, or license to purchaser of the right to reproduce, modify, or create derivative works of any artwork or product, unless such right is expressly granted in writing by the artist.
framed photo "BREAKTIME" - limited edition of 40 - outside dimensions 16x20 inches, - image approx 10x15 inches
I enjoyed this image because of the anachronistic break provided by the coca-cola and pizza. It's a lighter moment for these folks. It's kind of like seeing your favorite movie star backstage, letting their guard down a bit. This family was genuinely driven to include this (usually absent) voice in a war reenactment - and I simply adored them for it. Nobody assigned them these roles. They simply chose to do it.
To be clear, these are the ONLY reenactors that I ever saw portraying Jewish civilians the entire time I was photographing reenactments.
And they weren't trying to be disrespectful in any way. Instead, they were educating people about the holocaust and their very presence was kind of upsetting to the "status quo" of a WWII reenactment.
Usually reenactments are solely about honoring soldiers, and yes, oddly, soldiers of *both* sides. To a certain extent, reenactments are an advertisement for war. For a person to actually show up wearing that emblem on their clothing, and to be viewed as the terrible consequences of war ,and of the nazi regime, was "not in the script".
They were the only reenactors to highlight the fact that war isn't solely about the heroic acts of soldiers. War is also about horrific cruelty.
Previously unbeknownst to me, I discovered that people reenact WWII as a hobby. This phenomenon fascinated me. It occasionally repulsed me as well. A reenactment is the child of theater married with war. Reenactors strive for a rare, fleeting, and lucky moment that occurs when a person loses themselves inside the very illusion of wartime that they have created. They call this illusion a "reenactor moment" So that's what i called this photo series.
Regardless of whether their passion was expressed admirably or was horribly misguided, I always found it compelling.
If interested, this link is to my director's statement on the documentary film, "Playing Soldier";
http://www.playingsoldierthemovie.com/directors-statement.html
All prints are high-quality, archival prints, and signed by myself, for authenticity. This is a limited edition of 40.
The paper is acid-free, smooth, and archival, meaning it will last longer than I will.
Shipping is included in the price. No need to factor it in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLK-VKqFKbO/
You can find me on Instagram: @edwingendron
All work copyrighted © by Edwin Gendron. Artist reserves all rights protected under the United States Copyright Act for all artwork or other products purchased. The sale of a given artwork does not include any assignment, transfer, or license to purchaser of the right to reproduce, modify, or create derivative works of any artwork or product, unless such right is expressly granted in writing by the artist.
COME SEE THE CROCODILE WOMAN Views of life at state fairs in West Virginia and North Carolina. Things are not always what they seem to be.
the Fortune Teller
the Fortuneteller - limited edition of 85 - outside dimensions 16x20 inches, - image approx 10x15 inches (Available framed or unframed)
This image is from my Photographic series, "Come See the Crocodile Woman". During the late 90's and early 2000's I travelled to many different carnivals where I photographed, scenes, sideshow exhibits and sideshow performers. I photographed everything in B&W film (medium format) but hand colored nearly every image. The work is bright and slightly surreal, beautiful, and a little unexpected.
All prints are high-quality, archival prints, and signed by myself, for authenticity. This is a limited edition of 40.
The paper is acid-free, smooth, and archival, meaning it will last longer than I will.
Shipping is included in the price. No need to factor it in.
You can find me on Instagram: @edwingendron
the Crocodile Woman, Posing, Open Cape
In addition to being a painter, I'm also a photographer.
This image is from my Photographic series, "Come See the Crocodile Woman". During the late 90's and early 2000's I travelled to many different carnivals where I photographed, scenes, sideshow exhibits and sideshow performers. I photographed everything in B&W film (medium format) but hand colored nearly every image. The work is bright and slightly surreal, beautiful, and a little unexpected. This photo is the sideshow character, "the Crocodile Woman'". She's doing a really dynamic pose, with her cape and crown, for the camera.
• The MATTED version of this print arrives in a protective envelope, with backing and matte.
(Matt will fit standard frame size - 16x20 inches)
• The FRAMED version of this print arrives in a white frame with white matte and clear polystyrene cover.
Frame size 16x20 inches, comes wired and ready to hang.
• The unframed ART ONLY version arrives packaged in protective cellophane and inside a sturdy cardboard mailer. This option is less expensive for those who wish to choose a different frame, or already have a frame, or simply wish to show it unframed.
Image size is approximately 8.5x15.5 inches - O.D is 13x19
All prints are high-quality, archival prints, and signed by myself, for authenticity. This is a limited edition of 85.
The paper is acid-free, smooth, and archival, meaning it will last longer than I will.
Shipping is included in the price. No need to factor it in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLK-VKqFKbO/
You can find me on Instagram: @edwingendron
All work copyrighted © by Edwin Gendron. Artist reserves all rights protected under the United States Copyright Act for all artwork or other products purchased. The sale of a given artwork does not include any assignment, transfer, or license to purchaser of the right to reproduce, modify, or create derivative works of any artwork or product, unless such right is expressly granted in writing by the artist.