Ma Cherie Arielle - Photography -

Slideshow

Featured Galleries

Other Wise : "Other Wise", 2012, ten prints in various sizes (largest 20x30"), glass and digital photo prints Our world is overrun by humanity. There is seemingly no place on Earth we left untouched. Despite our overpopulation, younger generations grow up with a sense of self entitlement. Society emphasises the importance of the individual, specifically in Western cultures. Even when just looking at photography, with cameras accessible to everyone, anyone can consider themselves to be a photographer. On websites such as Flickr, thousands of photos nearly identical to each other are uploaded and Facebook profiles feature the “My Photography” album filled with amateur photos of flowers, animals, children, and sunsets. The art world wonders if anything new can be created when everything has already been made. I wonder if I can consider myself unique when others like me may exist or have existed. This absurdity lead me to explore philosophical theories, although no concrete answer can be given. (If you would like to know more about the installation of the project, please contact me at Arielle@MaCherieArielle.com)

Other Wise

"Other Wise", 2012, ten prints in various sizes (largest 20x30"), glas ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2012 10:49am PST

Existence of Knowledge : My work, Existence of Knowledge, 2011, (7 digital photo prints 20”x30” each hung in a horizontal line), was inspired by ideas referring to Solipsism, which most simply explained is the philosophical idea that only your own mind is sure to exist and all knowledge outside your mind is uncertain. Due to the beliefs of Solipsism, self-portraiture is an important aspect of the work. Along with my own figure, I used a second figure to represent “the other” (those outside of the self). I wanted this figure to be completely distinguishable from my body while remaining ambiguous. Because of the clothing and androgynous body shape, deciphering the gender is a challenge. Anyone can place themselves into this figure. I kept the hue of the clothes and the background in shades of grey and black so that the only color that stands out is the color of skin and the frame of the mirror. The mirror reflects, removes, and fractures the self. It creates paradoxes by framing and obscuring what is real and what is not.

Existence of Knowledge

My work, Existence of Knowledge, 2011, (7 digital photo prints 20”x30” ...

Updated: Jul 12, 2012 12:28pm PST

Existence : (Winter 2011) My project started out as a search for a definition of “nothingness”, which led to the exploration of existentialism. I decided to pick several topics within existentialism that stood out to me. The topics I chose were: the existence through time and space, Sartre’s “etre-en-soi” or brute existence, existence through the other and the look, existing through one’s own emotions and thoughts and actions, the fear of “nothing” and the existential void that cannot be filled, unauthenticity or the denial of being your true self, and finally a person is defined by how they act and not their genes. For each topic I brainstormed, via sketch, to figure out how to depict how I understood it but in an abstract, visual way. I didn’t want the topics to appear too literal and perhaps have some that people wouldn’t be able to figure out. I want people to be able to make up their own narratives from the series. The existential topics I used were devices used to create visual work. Presented horizontally, the photos interact with each other and create a narrative.

Existence

(Winter 2011) My project started out as a search for a definition of “ ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2011 6:16pm PST

Where we once were : (2010) I was given the opportunity to explore and photograph a house before it was torn down. This house belonged to my boyfriend's grandmother, who raised her children in the house and recently moved out at the age of 92. I was interested in capturing the essence of the house in it's abandoned state. Evidence of the people who once lived there identify the house's past, but accentuates the absence.

Where we once were

(2010) I was given the opportunity to explore and photograph a house b ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2011 6:25pm PST

"The Creature" - Fall 2009
Series - Atonement: In a world obsessed with the Green Movement, humans are now trying to bring nature back into the modernized world, where we have earlier suppressed it to near extinction. I chose to focus on eyes looking through nature because eyes are the window to the human soul; the way we see the world. Eyes become the defining factor of identifying a human face. In some photos the face becomes more and more obscured. Obscuring the other features of the face with organic forms suggests that nature is suppressing or consuming humanity, creating a creature that's one with humanity and the natural world.

Your Bio

Fashion and Fine Art Photographer

Name: Arielle Somberg
Born: Feb 1990
Based: Chicago, IL
Education: BFA 2012 - University of Illinois at Chicago

-Artist Statement-
My practice has heavily involved the researching of philosophical ideas involving questions of existence, “the other”, and the self. One theory leads to another: existentialism to nihilism to solipsism and so on. Each theory is a question with no answer that acts as a catalyst to create my work by interpreting, challenging, questioning, and comparing it with my understanding and opinions. Visual ideas that strive to function beyond just illustrations of philosophical theories are grown from that exploration.

Our world is overrun by humanity. There is seemingly no place on Earth we left untouched. Despite our overpopulation, younger generations grow up with a sense of self entitlement. Society emphasises the importance of the individual, specifically in Western cultures. Even when just looking at photography, with cameras accessible to everyone, anyone can consider themselves to be a photographer. On websites such as Flickr, thousands of photos nearly identical to each other are uploaded and Facebook profiles feature the “My Photography” album filled with amateur photos of flowers, animals, children, and sunsets. The art world wonders if anything new can be created when everything has already been made. I wonder if I can consider myself unique when others like me may exist or have existed. This absurdity lead me to explore philosophical theories, although no concrete answer can be given.


-Contact-
Email: MaCherieArielle@gmail.com
Cosplay website: http://www.TotallyToasty.com
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariellemarie/
DA (photography): http://ariellemarie.deviantart.com/
DA (cosplay): http://ariellemarie.deviantart.com/

-Honors/Awards-
2012 Fashion photos featured on FashionMix.com http://thefashionmix.com/spotted/photography/7597-arielle-somberg-photography)
2012 Finalist in Union League Civic & Arts Foundation Photo competition
2012 School Faculty Prize for Photography (UIC)
2012 Photo showcased on Cosplay.com in May 2012
2010 Photo showcased on Cosplay.com in January 2010
2008 Drawing purchased from Deerfield High School
2008 $500 Arts Scholarship (Deerfield High School)

-Publications-
2012 Two photos published in Vogue.it's PhotoVogue
2012 Work published in Life’s a BFA book for UIC
2011 Photo published in Red Shoes Literary Art Magazine
2010 Photo published in January 2010 issue of Japanese magazine Cosmode
2010 Photo published in the Youmacon 2010 cosplay calendar
2010 Photo published in Nintendo Power magazine October 2010 issue
2009 Photo published in September 2009 issue of Japanese magazine Cosmode
2008 3 paintings/drawings published in Troubadour Literary Art Magazine
2007 Painting published in Troubadour Literary Art Magazine

-Exhibitions/Gallery Showings-
2012 Union League Civic & Arts Foundation Finalist Showcase
2012 UIC Life’s a BFA Senior Show
2011 UIC BFA Open Studios
2010 Photo shown in the UIC Art Show at the Hillel Center
2010 2 paintings shown at the GBU UIC gallery
2008 Drawing in Great Frame Up Show
2008 Suburban Fine Arts Show, Highland Park, IL
2007 Suburban Fine Arts Show, Highland Park, IL
2007 3 drawings in Oakton Community College Art Show
2006 Suburban Fine Arts Show, Highland Park, IL

-Services-
I am available for scheduled photoshoots of most genres including portraits, fashion portfolios, band photos, etc. Please send an email for booking info and rates.
**Would you like to be a model in one of my photoshoots? Let me know! I'm always looking for models to build up my portfolio.

Galleries

Headshots / Portraits : Samples of photos taken for Headshot or Portrait sessions. If you'd like to book a shoot, please contact Arielle at MaCherieArielle@gmail.com

Headshots / Portraits

Samples of photos taken for Headshot or Portrait sessions. If you'd li ...

Updated: Dec 04, 2013 8:19pm PST

Fashion Photography : Samples of my fashion photography.

Fashion Photography

Samples of my fashion photography.

Updated: Mar 15, 2013 3:54pm PST

Other Wise : "Other Wise", 2012, ten prints in various sizes (largest 20x30"), glass and digital photo prints Our world is overrun by humanity. There is seemingly no place on Earth we left untouched. Despite our overpopulation, younger generations grow up with a sense of self entitlement. Society emphasises the importance of the individual, specifically in Western cultures. Even when just looking at photography, with cameras accessible to everyone, anyone can consider themselves to be a photographer. On websites such as Flickr, thousands of photos nearly identical to each other are uploaded and Facebook profiles feature the “My Photography” album filled with amateur photos of flowers, animals, children, and sunsets. The art world wonders if anything new can be created when everything has already been made. I wonder if I can consider myself unique when others like me may exist or have existed. This absurdity lead me to explore philosophical theories, although no concrete answer can be given. (If you would like to know more about the installation of the project, please contact me at Arielle@MaCherieArielle.com)

Other Wise

"Other Wise", 2012, ten prints in various sizes (largest 20x30"), glas ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2012 10:49am PST

Older Work : Older examples of my work

Older Work

Older examples of my work

Updated: Oct 18, 2012 1:02pm PST

Videos : Video projects done inside/outside classes.

Videos

Video projects done inside/outside classes.

Updated: Aug 19, 2012 5:51pm PST

Retouching Portfolio :

Retouching Portfolio

Updated: Aug 19, 2012 5:19pm PST

July 2012 Glamor Shoot : Models: Sabrina, Liz, and Brandi. Location: Chicago (Loop)

July 2012 Glamor Shoot

Models: Sabrina, Liz, and Brandi. Location: Chicago (Loop)

Updated: Jul 24, 2012 9:27pm PST

Existence of Knowledge : My work, Existence of Knowledge, 2011, (7 digital photo prints 20”x30” each hung in a horizontal line), was inspired by ideas referring to Solipsism, which most simply explained is the philosophical idea that only your own mind is sure to exist and all knowledge outside your mind is uncertain. Due to the beliefs of Solipsism, self-portraiture is an important aspect of the work. Along with my own figure, I used a second figure to represent “the other” (those outside of the self). I wanted this figure to be completely distinguishable from my body while remaining ambiguous. Because of the clothing and androgynous body shape, deciphering the gender is a challenge. Anyone can place themselves into this figure. I kept the hue of the clothes and the background in shades of grey and black so that the only color that stands out is the color of skin and the frame of the mirror. The mirror reflects, removes, and fractures the self. It creates paradoxes by framing and obscuring what is real and what is not.

Existence of Knowledge

My work, Existence of Knowledge, 2011, (7 digital photo prints 20”x30” ...

Updated: Jul 12, 2012 12:28pm PST

Cosplay Photography : Samples of my Cosplay photography work. All photos are part of TotallyToasty.com which I co-run with cosplayer/photographer Hiyoko-chan to showcase our love for photography and cosplay. We do photoshoots at conventions we go to as well as on location shoots by request. Please visit www.TotallyToasty.com for more information!!

Cosplay Photography

Samples of my Cosplay photography work. All photos are part of Totally ...

Updated: Jul 10, 2012 11:34pm PST

Nihilism (still working title) : (Spring 2011) This project was inspired by the philosophical idea within Nihilism that the individual, or perhaps the human race, is insignificant. I wanted to have the silhouette of a figure with a vast environment, suggesting overwhelming emptiness or solitude. I chose to include farmland and a cityscape with the intent to elude to the over population of our world, diminishing the importance of the individual. However, when seeing all the prints hung together, the photos implied the opposite. The figure was an important element in the composition and the environments brought to attention that virtually no place has been untouched by humans. Humanity became the subject of importance.

Nihilism (still working title)

(Spring 2011) This project was inspired by the philosophical idea with ...

Updated: Mar 28, 2012 5:41pm PST

Fashion-Aug2011 :

Fashion-Aug2011

Updated: Sep 02, 2011 11:17pm PST

password protected gallery

Acen2011 - HiRes

Updated: Jun 20, 2011 3:56pm PST

Where we once were : (2010) I was given the opportunity to explore and photograph a house before it was torn down. This house belonged to my boyfriend's grandmother, who raised her children in the house and recently moved out at the age of 92. I was interested in capturing the essence of the house in it's abandoned state. Evidence of the people who once lived there identify the house's past, but accentuates the absence.

Where we once were

(2010) I was given the opportunity to explore and photograph a house b ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2011 6:25pm PST

Existence : (Winter 2011) My project started out as a search for a definition of “nothingness”, which led to the exploration of existentialism. I decided to pick several topics within existentialism that stood out to me. The topics I chose were: the existence through time and space, Sartre’s “etre-en-soi” or brute existence, existence through the other and the look, existing through one’s own emotions and thoughts and actions, the fear of “nothing” and the existential void that cannot be filled, unauthenticity or the denial of being your true self, and finally a person is defined by how they act and not their genes. For each topic I brainstormed, via sketch, to figure out how to depict how I understood it but in an abstract, visual way. I didn’t want the topics to appear too literal and perhaps have some that people wouldn’t be able to figure out. I want people to be able to make up their own narratives from the series. The existential topics I used were devices used to create visual work. Presented horizontally, the photos interact with each other and create a narrative.

Existence

(Winter 2011) My project started out as a search for a definition of “ ...

Updated: Mar 01, 2011 6:16pm PST

Veronica Otaku :

Veronica Otaku

Updated: Mar 01, 2011 5:23pm PST

Recent Photos

© Arielle Somberg 2013. Email: Arielle@MaCherieArielle.com