Ceci n’est pas…
This photo project of mine not only explores the themes of surrealism and perception, drawing inspiration from surrealist artist Rene Magritte and his famous quote "Ceci n’est pas une pipe". But it also touches on the broader cultural issues of branding and consumerism.
On the one hand, the project enhances Magritte's effect, as it is not just stating that "This is not a luxury perfume", but in reality, it is not perfume at all, but only objects similar in shape to a perfume bottle.
On the other hand, the project highlights the strength and power of branding and marketing in shaping our perceptions and desires. Despite the explicitly stating that there are no luxury perfumes here, the viewer is still influenced by the power of the brand.
The shape of the perfume bottles is so deeply ingrained in our cultural consciousness that it conveys the brand even through everyday objects.
This project highlights how much branding and marketing can shape our perceptions of reality and our desires, even when we are aware that what we are looking at is not what it seems.
Photography & Set Design: Ilya Kaner