SIX FEET UNDER: Death and Lifestyle

In the New Romanticism of the 1980s, which saw itself as the counter movement to punk, the misty-eyed yearning for death, stemming partly from Symbolism and Romanticism, arose once again. Since then, a brisk trade in devotional objects over the internet has arisen – people are interested in mythical God cults, are occupied with death and transience and seek asylum in what is romantic and idyllic.

Feminine, sensual and pure, the beautiful “corpses” of the Japanese photographer Izima Kaoru wear exquisite labels such as Comme des Garçons, Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton or Yves Saint-Laurent. Since 1993, in various photographic series, Kaoru has been depicting acts of violence against women, although their lifeless bodies sacrifice little of their beauty and sex appeal. Kaoru’s discussion with death refers to the tradition of the beautiful dead in Japanese art and literature. To have one’s own death constantly in one’s mind is seen as the greatest challenge and allows one to hope for exits in perfect beauty. The staging follow the instructions of the relevant model. The women seek the place as well as the mode of their death. Kaoru’s experienced eye then translates the idea. On the one hand the female figures are victims, on the other – the titles such as Koide Eiko wears Gianni Versace makes this clear – they wear designer clothes. This role would hardly differ from their other commissions if it were not for the little fresh bloodstain on their breast or on their head. In addition to ideal beauty, youth and success, they convey also a perfect image of their death, and one, which is completely open to the voyeuristic gaze of the viewers. The image of death conveyed by the photographs is neither scary nor repellent but becomes – as does fashion also – an expression of a lifestyle.