What photographers build sets using 'naive' multi-plane backgrounds?

November 29, 2008 5:13 PM

What photographers have shot figures in backgrounds built in a painted theatrical multi-plane 'stage flat' style similar to that used in the Smashing Pumpkins music video for Tonight, Tonight?
posted by jfrancis to media & arts (9 comments total)

See the original "A Trip to the Moon" that they ripped off.
posted by Burhanistan at 5:41 PM on November 29, 2008

I'm actually looking for modern still photographers who use stage design techniques for their photo backgrounds, even if the subject matter is from an entirely different time and place than that of Melies.

Maybe somebody who evokes 1930's sideshows, for example.

Any other examples are welcome.
posted by jfrancis at 5:56 PM on November 29, 2008

Gregory Crewdson?
posted by TedW at 7:14 PM on November 29, 2008

Interesting, TedW. I didn't know about him. I know Aaron Hawks builds all his own little room-like sets.

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Any other suggestions welcome. Particularly ones that are intentionally shallow in space and campy / fake looking. (I want to try some myself, and would like to see what is already out there)
posted by jfrancis at 8:11 PM on November 29, 2008

Hm, well, it's not multi-plane, but some of Eleanor Antin's work uses a flat painted backdrop to evoke classical Greek images. And possibly of interest might be Teun Hocks who builds and paints and then inhabits theatrical sets for his photographs.
posted by xo at 8:31 PM on November 29, 2008

Arthur Tress: see his Teapot Opera series (from which there is a slightly larger image here).
posted by misteraitch at 1:46 AM on November 30, 2008

thanks, everyone
posted by jfrancis at 12:18 PM on November 30, 2008

I finished my first one, btw
posted by jfrancis at 9:38 PM on March 23, 2009

Very cool, jfrancis; I hope others come back to this thread and see it.
posted by TedW at 1:22 PM on March 28, 2009