There was once a skillful sculptor, the best of them all, who tired of being rejected and ill-treated by women, decided to create the most beautiful creature ever seen by humans. With all his effort he carved and carved for days, until he created the most sumptuous statue that a person could create. He was mesmerized by the way the ivory was molded with such an expertise to turn into an enticing figure. The sculptor would spend hours admiring his impressive creation. Tempted by his realistic sculpture, this man would touch the curves and each detail of its body, only to feel the coldness of the stone. Totally in love with his creation, the sculptor asked the Gods to bestow life upon his realistic ivory figure, and his prayers were answered. The beautiful sculpture came to life, and while she was now a living creature, one couldn’t notice the difference between her human and ivory form. The former was so perfect and so real that the only distinction was the temperature of her body.[Adaptation of Ovid’s “Orpheus Sings: Pygmalion and the Statue” in his Metamorphoses]
The main element that many remember from the story of Pygmalion is obviously the fact that he fell in love with his creation. However, one of the most interesting things for me is the fact that he was so skillful in carving stone, that he managed to create the most perfect and realistic sculpture ever seen by human beings. Following that idea, internationally renowned photographer Mike Ruiz created a photographic series where he portrays men posing like statues. The use of light, makeup, and the poses are so perfect that he inverts the myth by turning his live subjects into masterpieces.
“I was definitely inspired by the masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. I actually wanted to explore the idea of combining a classic portrait and a still life.”
Mike Ruiz Inspired by classic sculptures, Ruiz use of muscular men posing as ancient gods and heroes, evoking the greatness of Greek myths. This project doesn’t just honor this period in art history, but it creates a dialog between the audience and today’s perception and stereotypes of masculinity and gender.
“There has always been something compelling to me about the juxtaposition of the hyper-masculine male form converging with feminine elements. I suspect that this is how I see myself.”
Society and history have set the patterns of what female and male should represent. In past years, we’ve seen how women fight every day to debunk stereotypes that depict them as delicate beings. However, little has been made to shatter the idea of men as tough and powerful beings that are forbidden to express their emotions and tenderness.
“Basically my goal with these images was to discredit the notion that being hyper-masculine physically does not preclude a man from having a soft, loving side.” His use of flowers and plants contrast with the idea of the tough and vigorous man we’re all used to. But in fact, these elements also merge in a natural imagery so we can ask ourselves, why do they always have to be confronted? Are they really that different? This combination of elements and labels shows that our looks don’t determine who we are. Being muscular and hyper-masculine is not the same as being a macho, senseless man.
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Photography is one of the modern arts that has managed to show life from a more “realistic” perspective.
However, like Pygmalion, only those skillful artists have managed to endow images with depth and meaning. In the same way, it requires a high esthetic vision to show the vulnerability and delicate side of the male figure.
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If you want to check this photographer’s impressive work, take a look at his official website and Instagram account: Mike Ruiz
@mikeruizone
