EXISTENCE PRECEDES ESSENCE

Finally done editing and retouching my self-timer photoshoot. The theme is evolution inspired by Jean-Paul Sartre, a french existentialist philosopher. His trademark phrase is "Existence Precedes Essence" which is simply, you have to exist first so you can leave your essence behind. Usually people have a certain expectation of how you should be, and they are ready to place you into a certain category... but I beg to differ.

I'm at a strange and exciting time in my life, where I'm becoming more comfortable in my skin. I've evolved. You can see that with me starting out in all black, and going through all these motions to end up in white, refreshed, rebirth, reinvented. You can't belong to a category, before making your mark. Therefore, you have to live first, you have to exist first to accumulate your character. Existence comes before Essence. Existence Precedes Essence...

"Bittersweet" a poem by Rumi, and read by Madonna

In my hallucination, I saw my beloved's flower garden. In my vertigo, in my dizziness, in my drunken haze... whirling and dancing like a spinning wheel, I saw myself as the source of existence. I was there in the beginning. And I was the spirit of love...

(click to enlarge)

Now I am sober. There is only the hangover. And the memory of love. And only the sorrow. I yearn for happiness. I ask for help. I want mercy.

And my love says: “Look at me and hear me, because I am here just for that. I am your moon and your moonlight too. I am your flower garden and your water too. I have come all this way, eager for you... without shoes or shawl. I want you to laugh, to kill all your worries, to love you, to nourish you. Oh sweet bitterness. I will soothe you and heal you, I will bring you roses. I, too, have been covered with thorns...”

BEHIND THE SCENES:
this was how I spent my last weekend when my family's gone out, transforming my room into a ghetto fabulous photo-shoot. Thanks to Elmo for letting me borrow the strobe light!!!

I wanted to make a D.Y.I. head piece simple BUT complex
inspired by Givenchy Fall/Winter 2009 collection!!
Just me by myself, a camera, a tripod, and self-timer...
together, we'll Dance In The Dark!