金継ぎ (Kintsugi) the golden joinery is centuries old Japanese art of repairing pottery with a special lacquer laced with a golden powder. Rather than disguising or covering up the fractures the gold lacquer, accents the damage, celebrating its unique history. The act of repairing often leaves the object looking more beautiful than its original incarnation.

What is Kintsugi?


Concept

“Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real.”
― Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses

Each scar tells a story. They are just another type of memory; an excerpt taken out of context from our life. Some of these are stories of triumph. Others are stories of pain and heartbreak. While some people carry their scars triumphantly, others hide them away ashamed, as reminders of harsh lessons learned.

Much like the chips and cracks in pottery, our scars are a part of our unique histories.


Execution

I am looking for volunteers with prominent scar tissue to be photographed in a portraiture and bodyscape project using hypoallergenic non-toxic gold or silver body paint. I will paint over scar tissue creating unique accents. This project will mainly be shot using color reversal slide film in a studio setting or anywhere a volunteers feel comfortable being photographed. Lighting will also play a roll in each instance to help tell the story behind each person and each scar they want photographed.

If this sounds like a project you are someone you know may be interested in please fill out the form below or send them a link to this webpage.