While dating the man who is now my husband (his name is Brian), he would wax poetic about our future creative collaborations. When we first met, I was barely interested in being anything more than just friends, let alone his artistic side-kick. Now, almost twenty years later, I’ve dragged him, kicking and screaming, to help with almost everything, from DP’ing my films, to installing art shows, and now AC’ing on photo shoots. Be very careful what you wish for!
My spouse is also the DJ to our life’s soundtrack. He’s romanced me with mixtapes, curated the playlist for our wedding, and is the man behind the sounds at all of our kids’ parties. However, when it came to the disco music I needed to get into character for my latest project, I got a little DIY and left Brian out of it.
Music has been a loyal friend throughout each and every creative pursuit. When I needed to write a revenge scene for a screenplay, to get in the mood, I’d blast Tupac’s Me and My Girlfriend. I’ve added vintage records to sculptural installations for visual art projects. And as I physically get into character for my first photobook volume, I lean into music to help shape the interiority of the various personas I get to portray.
And so it was with the wedding portraits of “Cookie” and “Iconic Dave” above. These photographs are inspired by my Uncle David’s 1975 marriage to his childhood sweetheart. Ladies loved David, however, the attraction was not mutual. Their union lasted only two weeks, but the stories from this brief matrimony are everlastingly legendary.
A few of the tracks listed were released after 1975, they still capture the spirit of the series. Drop a needle on each of these records, if you have them, and enjoy!
