swedish photographermajadaniels captures
a pair of twinsonthestreets of paris.
INTERVIEWSOPHIEKALAGASmonette and mady
Hi Maja! Tell us a bit about yourself, please. I have a backgroundin
sociology and have always used it to inform my photographic practice.
I find it interesting to think about what an image does to us–how
it plays a role in the way we see others and ourselves, and thus
negotiate our identities. I’ve always been interested in hybrid formats
and shaking up genres. For this project, I’m mixing constructed
‘documentary’ work with elements of fashion photography.
Who are Monette and Mady, and how did you meet them? Monette
and Mady are identical twins. They’ve lived their whole lives closely
together and are, as they say, inseparable. Neither womanhas
married or had children, and they always eat the same kind offood
in identical portions. I used to live in Paris and during that timewe
lived on parallel streets. I’d see them quite often, always dressed
in identical outfits with synchronised body language. I was intrigued
and felt inspired by what they represented. They were quirkyand
beautiful and stood out from any crowd, and enjoyed the attention
they were given.
What drew you to them as photography subjects? Most of mywork
engages with questions of heredity, family and identity construction.
Mady and Monette don’t just share a close relationship as sisters–
as a pair, they act, model and dance together, and in recent years
they’ve turned Paris into their main stage. They refer to themselves
as “living sculptures” and the way they play with their bodiesin
relationship to their identity was something that really fascinated
me. It’s interesting for us “singular people” (as Mady and Monette
would say) to witness how one identity expands over two physical
bodies. It makes us think about the limits of our own identities,
and how we’re constantly in conversation with ourselves.
How do they feel about being documented? Mady and Monettesay
they do it for the humour; to bring a smile to people’s faces. They’re
also amused by the attention they get, so the joy goes both ways.We
constantly negotiate what it is we’re doing together, and Madyand
Monette often reject my ideas. This is essential to our project, since
Iwantitto reflect their own vision of themselves in the world.Wherewere these shots taken? Since a large part of Monette and
Mady’slives centre around performing – in front of cameras, on
stageand on the street – I wanted to include a mix of staged and
documentary images, as the pair go about their daily business. Most
havebeen taken in and around their home in Paris. The streets of
Parismake the perfect backdrop for such ambiguity to play out.
Itmakes the documenting of everyday events somewhat surreal.Whyisit important to you to represent older generations in your
work?Population ageing has been happening for a long time, but in
2020,more than 25 per cent of Europe’s population will be over 60.
Thiswill have important social, economic and political implications
thatwillaffect families, markets and the welfare state itself, making
thewaywe think about ageing and care for the elderly a central
politicalquestion in Europe. Yet our society is still obsessed with
youth,progress and beauty, and ageing is increasingly treated as
adisease to be cured, rather than a natural part of the life cycle.
Myaimis to push the boundaries of photography in relation to
thesesubjects.
Haveyou learnt anything while creating this series? The elements
ofperformance that Mady and Monette add to their ordinary
existence – and that I reinforce in my visual narrative – allow the
viewerto sidestep the usual assumptions about how a woman
ofacertain age should behave. In my opinion, that’s the most
powerful message coming out of this work. Through this playful
confrontation, we’re caught off guard and become aware of our
ownpreconceptions. When I photograph Mady and Monette,
inmanyways I’m just an extension of their performance.
Wherecan we see more of your photography? majadaniels.com
oronInstagram at @majadaniels.my project