I dare you to keep a straight face.

Imagine you're walking down the street. In your own lil world, thinking about your plans, perhaps even wondering how to work out all those insignificant problems you come across during your day...think about those times that you are so unaware of yourself as you continue a path. You've been that lost in thought, right? The answer should be yes.
Now think of this. A stranger suddenly stops you in the middle of your mission here and ask quite surprisingly to take your picture. One's first reaction might be.."What? Why me? Come again?" To which the photographer's answer is:

Well...you have a beautiful face.

And just like that. You're aware of urself again. The light shining down from the sky just got a whole lot brighter, the colors around you appear to be significantly more vibrant and there's all of a sudden a bit more of a pep in your step. While it might be considered extremely superficial, its a beautiful thing in all its simplicity.
Douglas Huebler took a series of photographs in 1970 with this purpose, to catch that reaction right after such a compliment is given, to document the mixture of coyness and flattery that takes place.
The piece above is called Variable Piece #34.

A major thanks to my Art History class with an emphasis on contemporary art.

Love,
Jen

VIII