MALE – UMBRELLAS

The series MALE – UMBRELLAS is about gender inequality, the position of women, and illogicality.

Umbrellas in the series symbolize both the – unfortunately still prevalent – accessory-like role of many women and their importance, for instance as providers of protection. Illogical use of umbrellas in non-rainy scenarios highlights the ongoing journey towards gender equality. 

By setting the series in places other than Earth, it emphasizes that gender inequality should truly be alien to our world. 

Since I couldn’t physically photograph there, I chose to use generative AI. The via my special (to be kept secret) prompt obtained text-to-image AI results are blended with my own visuals.

Intentionally I preserved the primitive AI outputs – to align with the primitive nature of gender inequality.

A polished application – as you see often nowadays – would not suit the theme.

The non-modern appearance of the artworks underscores the outdated nature of gender inequality.

MALE – UMBRELLAS – ‘MOON ISLAND’

Men in suits holding umbrellas, symbolizing the still too often accessory-like roles assigned to women. Moon Island expresses the one-sidedness and isolation that occurs when we don’t address gender equality. The choice for the non-modern appearance and the unconventional setting is driven by the fact that gender inequality is outdated and doesn’t belong on Earth.

MALE – UMBRELLAS  – ‘VENUS’

Classically dressed women lean forward from Venus to observe Earth to assess progress in terms of equality. They appear identical, symbolizing their presumed place of origin and the quest for a better balance. The intentionally unrefined execution, with missing limbs and imperfections, mirrors the imperfect state of the topic, emphasizing the message that equality is still a work in progress.

MALE – UMBRELLAS  – ‘UMBRELLAS CRACK’

Damaged umbrellas represent the consequences for women of inequality, and the aerial view emphasizes that it’s not always visible to everyone up close.

MALE – UMBRELLAS  – ‘UMBRELLAS FLY’

Umbrellas, symbolizing women, are flying away from the tablecloth, representing the typical gender roles. True emancipation is still unrealized, and the non-contemporary atmosphere underscores how long we have already been grappling with this issue. The numerous imperfections in the image support the theme.

MALE – UMBRELLAS – ‘EMPOWER’

Men in suits holding umbrellas, symbolizing the still too often accessory-like roles assigned to women. The thick, seemingly embedded, bullets represent women’s desire for empowerment and the ongoing struggle for gender equality.

MALE UMBRELLAS – ‘SUITS’

Men who were once dressed sharply in suits are facing the moon, to express one-sidedness and isolation that occurs when we don’t address gender equality. They hold umbrellas, symbolizing the still too often accessory-like roles assigned to women. The worn-out suits serve as a symbol of the structural issues that persist within society.

MALE – UMBRELLAS  – ‘VENUS II’

Classically dressed woman contemplating. 

MALE – UMBRELLAS – ‘WALL’

The uniform appearance of the men highlights the pressing need for diversity. The open umbrellas over their heads represent their need for protection and the importance of diversity. The unconventional way the umbrellas are used highlights the difficulty of achieving inclusion. The damaged appearance of the men reflects the concept that inequality leaves something missing.

MALE – UMBRELLAS  – ‘VENUS III’

Classically dressed women observing Earth to assess progress in terms of equality. 

MALE – UMBRELLAS  – ‘1ST OUTLINE CONCEPT’

(with a photo that I took through the telescope at the Copernicus Observatory during a full moon)