What's this? Book review of Yasumasa Morimura's photo book.

Larger image (at Kinokuniya)

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Impressions: The photographer is famous for his self portraits showing himself as a famous Japanese or non-Japanese actress usually in a setting that looks like a memorable scene in a movie. He is an actress impersonator and has made it a fine art.

The book has 93 such portraits showing himself to be female stars such as Jodie Foster (in "Taxi Driver"), Elizabeth Taylor, Ingrid Bergman, Liza Minneli, Madonna, Brigette Bardot, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, and Greta Garbo.

Celebrity impersonation has always been entertaining. The element of amusement is definitely present in his self portraits. But since he's a man trying to look like a woman, the results can also be absurd or pretty gross. He's no ordinary impersonator. It's a serious endeavor for him and he has been exhibited in major art museums. Without all those cosmetics and costumes, he's quite an ordinary guy.

*Also see some of his images and photo exhibition review (written by Monty DiPietro) at AssemblyLanguage.com

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