Gallery: Kristel A ‘Lustroso’
Kristel A ‘Lustroso‘ by Rylsky
I was extremely impressed by this model’s first Met Art gallery. Will her second offering, with the same photographer, elicit similarly enthusiastic praise?
Well, maybe. It is artistic and she is truly lovely. The styling of the series is fine, clever even, and I don’t have a single complaint about Rylsky‘s execution here. In technical and artistic terms, “Lustroso” is virtually without flaw.
Through an elaborate and complex process of elimination you may have reached the conclusion that I’m less than pleased with the model here. If so, you are quite correct.
It took me some time to realize what was troubling me about Kristel A. in “Lustroso.” I know some will complain about the unshorn axillary and public regions. (And at the same time others will rave about her hirsute state.) But that is not the problem.
The difficulty I have with the model is her mouth and lips. From beginning to end her mouth is locked in a single expression. She neither smiles nor frowns. She doesn’t pout or purse her lips. And she never reveals her teeth. She maintains the same neutral expression for the entire set. As a feat of endurance, this may be notable. But in terms of emotional expression and nuance, it is a distinct liability.
Conceptually, the series is interesting. At first the blue speckled background appears to be simply that — a background. But when Kristel A. leans back, and gets splashed with falling “raindrops,” we realize that the background is a dynamic, liquid, animated optical illusion. And the water is put to good effect as the model gets wetter and wetter.
Shot #095 is my pick of this particular litter. Here we can experience the “raindrops” illusion, as well as its very real results. And the composition, a torso shot framed from navel to clavicles, further illuminates my reasoning.
Is my assessment unduly harsh? I’d be interested to hear conflicting opinions. Feel free to educate me in the comments, below.
Preview gallery: ‘Lustroso’ by Rylsky
Art Nude Models: Met Art information.
