The relationship between humans and animals is one that
many artists have explored since the beginning of time. And since people
haven’t stopped loving animals both domestic and wild, it’s still a theme that
draws in art-lovers and animal-lovers alike.
Hungarian artist and photographer Flóra Borsi explores the
human-animal connection in a series of manipulated photos called Animeyed,
where she “shares” an eye and creates a double portrait of herself and the
animal.
The results are startling and beautiful, and Flóra manages
to create a distinct character in each portrait, changing her hair and makeup
to reflect the appearance of the animal.
While animals are of course lovely to look at, capturing
them in art is also an important reminder to viewers that they share a planet
with us, and that we must remember their needs as well as our own.
Like the photographer who captures endangered animals to
raise awareness for their protection, Flóra’s photos remind us that we each
have a deep connection to nature, even if we don’t always remember that.
To capture the personality of the animal, and to make
herself blend into the animal’s appearance, Flóra uses makeup and effects.
Lacy ears and dramatic “cat-eye” eyeliner recall a slinky
black cat.
Orange hair and lipstick match this goldfish’s shiny
scales. To line up her eye and the animal’s, Flóra uses digital manipulation.
So the fish isn’t out of the water, don’t worry!
And while the photos are beautiful, she still retains a
sense of humor, like this fishy portrait, complete with matching hair!
Her portraits each have a distinct feeling and character to
them, shaped by the color and texture of the animal, as well as the
associations that we humans have with them. This white dove, for example,
suggests purity.
Flóra herself also seems to become different in the
presence of the different animals, and especially thanks to the makeup and
costuming.
She captures the moods we associate with the animals
perfectly, like this nervous rabbit.
