Photographs by Thomas Dozol @ Opal Gallery Nov. 20 - Jan. 10

Andy
Photo credit:

If you missed the opening reception for Thomas Dozol's photo show, "I'll Be Your mirror" last night at Opal Gallery in L5P, you still have plenty of time to go check it out. The show runs through Sat., Jan. 10, 2009.

It all started with the landscape of the flushed skin, the blood rushing to the surface, creating patterns both involuntary and singular. I wanted to capture people raw and unguarded: looking in the mirror at the red triangles marking my cheeks after a long shower, I knew I had found my direction. By allowing me into the intimacy of their bathroom, my subjects have already let their guard down. I then tried to disappear as much as possible, to let rituals unfold undirected and find those fleeting moments of purity when one still feels washed anew.

--Thomas Roman Dozol, October 2008

Dozol 's portrait series "I'll Be Your Mirror" reveals the human body right after a shower. Each portrait examines a unique moment of contemplation and self-reflection and explores boundaries between intimacy and familiarity. By disappearing as much as possible into the intimate surroundings of each subject, Dozol allows rituals to unfold undirected and captures an authentic and unguarded moment.

Caroline
Photo credit:

Dozol was born in Martinique. His photographs have been in numerous international publications such as, Interview, Paper, Vogue Paris and LID.  After a few years working as a stage actor in Paris, he moved to New York in 2002 where he participated in the formation of the cabaret act, The Citizens Band by documenting their first show at Deitch projects. His curatorial projects include the founding of the One Wall gallery, an itenerent and ephemeral gallery project that started with Paysages Intimes; a photography installation by Julien Magre.  His most recent, Still/Life photos by Helena Christensen, took place at the Colette Gallery in Paris, France.  He currently lives and works in New York City.

Dozol is also known to denizens of the Athens/Atlanta music scene as R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe's partner. Many of the subjects of Dozol's portraits in "I'll Be Your Mirror" are musicians as well.

(Photos by Thomas Dozol)