Petite Mort/e
(current investigations)

I find that life is full of weird quirky events, ironies we cannot explain, and language that echoes these sentiments. It is especially captivating when the terminology used to describe these ironic events incorporates two particularly interesting and interrelated topics, sex and its relationship to the cycle of life, specifically when that cycle ends. Petite mort/e embodies all of these characteristics.

With the addition of one letter, the French phrase "petite mort" or "little death" changes to "petite morte" or "dead girl." Petite mort is a term used for describing an orgasm. Originally, it was believed that too much sex could lead to death (for men) due to a change in the balance of the four humours. The term is now used more figuratively to describe both the physical and emotional characteristics of an orgasm.

I could not help but to be drawn to the simplicity of the idea of an orgasm being like a death where, for just a moment, we allow ourselves to fall away from reality. I find this to be very similar to the moment the shutter is released on a camera and reality stops, the moment slips away, and all that remains is the photographer’s interpretation of that time.

Armed with my 4x5 view camera and, on occasion, a variety of interesting props, I set out to create my own death scenes. I initially found myself drawn to the fantastical ways people die in television dramas, but as I continue to explore different scenarios I find myself taking on a more humorous approach. These images are, in a sense, keeping with a long tradition in photography to create tableaux vivants. They allow me to play the role of both victim and perpetrator. By creating a variety of different scenes ranging from startling to humorous, I hope to create a multiorgasmic experience for my viewers.