Mother
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Book Overview
In the spirit of William Wegman and Cindy Sherman, Judy Olausen offers up a hilarious yet oddly unsettling collection of portraits of that most sacred of institutions: Mother. Photographing her own mother using 1950s-inspired props, she turns a lifelong homemaker into a surreal icon of all-American-style domestic submission. From "Mother as Coffee Table" to "Mother as Doormat" or "Roadkill", Olausen creates visual metaphors for Mother's role in the era just preceding the women's liberation movement. Vivian Olausen, the sole model in Mother, proved to be an enthusiastic and professional participant. She lugs a boulder up a staircase in "Mother Under Pressure" and drags a cross in "Mother Goes to Market". She's shown strapped to an old sedan, chained to a chair, chased by a giant tarantula in one image and a bear in another - all with good humor. "I'm just Judy's model", says Vivian, "I leave the rest up to her".
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0140263624
ISBN13:9780140263626
Release Date:March 1999
Publisher:Avery Publishing Group
Length:128 Pages
Weight:1.09 lbs.
Dimensions:0.5" x 9.1" x 10.0"
Customer Reviews
6 ratings
Mother - fun if your own Mom is like this
Published by Mousielove , 2 months ago
I can't rate this highly enough. Years ago, my late Mom bought this book. It's hysterically funny. My Mom had both hips replaced, eventually, but that didn't deter her from coming up with her own ideas - for custom made Mother's Day cards to send to family and friends. The people at the J.C. Penney photo studio always looked forward to her get-ups. I miss my Mom, but I am blessed to have her custom cards, custom photos and many laughs (among other memories) to cherish.
fantastic mother's day present
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
i gave this book to my mom for mother's day years ago, and recently stumbled across it again. it is a very witty book, the staging is flawless. this is clearly not a derogatory picture of motherhood, it is satire. my mom loved this book, and my fiance is going to give it to his mom this year. it is a great gift for any supermom that has a sense of humor about all of the roles a mother plays.
Amazing model!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
I photographed my mother alot when she was living, and she was usually cooperative, but complained about the results of the candids. I cannot imagine her having been willing to follow the directions that Judy Olausen gave to her mother! (Oh well, she was used to appearing in the charming portraits painted by her father, F.C. Frieseke *, when she was young.) I do hope that Vivian is sharing in the royalties. Her work as model... and mother... is outstanding.* http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/russell/406/frieseke/bretoncostume.html
Fantastic. Funny. Much better if you read the Intro.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I LOVED this book from start to finish. I use it in some of my psychology courses (gender roles, etc.). The pictures are more than interesting and funny. The introduction really helps you to get a lot more out of the book. I envy the relationship Judy and Vivian Olausen have created with each other! I'd love to photograph my mother strapped to the top of a car with antlers!
Absoluteley the funniest book to give a your mother
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
Any mother with a great sense of humor would enjoy this book
four star color portrait collection w/ a sense of humor!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
This would make a great mother's day gift. It's satirical, but light-hearted. You can't go wrong
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