Student Showcase: Lia Manfredi

Elegance in the Mundane

Interview by Eva Erhardt

Q: The photos in this series “Elegance in the Mundane” has a wonderful dichotomy between the locations and subjects. What made you choose these locations and styling in particular?

A: For this series, I wanted to play off paparazzi culture specifically focusing on the objectifying nature of catching female celebrities in their daily activities. For styling, I wanted to incorporate the stereotype and pressure put on women to always look their best. I thifted all the dresses and dyed some to further the kitschy, over-the-top aesthetic. For locations, I used what the models genuinely do in their day-to-day while also referencing typical paparazzi locations and incorporating a playful color palette in the environments to complement the series.

Q: We explore celebrity a lot in this issue of SCAN. What celebrities in particular inspired you?

A: Britney Spears is a celebrity who I personally drew inspiration from for this series. At the height of her fame, she was tormented by paparazzi for years ultimately leading to her publicized downfall. Paparazzi culture advocates for the normalization and relatability of these celebrities but in doing so exploits them and their personal lives for fame and money.

Q: How did the medium format film lend itself to this series?

A: Film has always been something I have gravitated towards both visually and in how I approach my own work since my first exposure to it. For this series, I felt medium format would give it that relatable nostalgic timelessness to the imagery’s environmental presence, complementing the series as a whole.

Q: Do you plan on exploring this theme even more in the future?

A: I am definitely open to revisiting these themes in my work again. I am influenced and drawn to the social communities around me and the commentary made about them.