UNDER MY SKIN Press Release

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UNDER MY SKIN

Photographs by Cynthia Zordich
October 1 – 31, 2002
One Oxford Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Images and testimonials of women and breast cancer awareness.

When Tom Mosser invited me to show my work at the Mosser Gallery and Studio, I think it only took three minutes before I knew what kind of images I would show. Tom was quite familiar with my black and white sideline player portraits - but life was pulling my work in another direction.

Under My Skin is a series of intimate photographs of the women in my life. Women who were first girls to me - girls that I have known since the second grade, the seventh grade, high school. My girls. My request to them? Share what you're feeling inside. My demand? Don't call me until your ready, ready to be honest no matter what the consequence - no matter what the reaction.

Conversations leading to the shoots became more therapeutic than I'd expected. Expressions of fear, awkwardness and inhibition needed nurturing. Modesty, graciousness and discretion would be my largest obstacles. I was beginning to realize that even the best of friends aren't always on the same page.

In the fall of 1998 I had an 8, 7, and 5 year old, a book ready for publication and a husband playing in the NFL. In the midst of all that wonderful chaos entered yet another persona with erratic energy, an insatiable appetite for s-e-x and the need for fun, fun, fun with the number one priority of looking great, great, great. It was me. Now that I look back I didn't see "me" as a problem so we just worked "me" into our lives and went along for the ride. But looking way back - I wonder what I was doing before '98? What I can guess is - like some of my friends - I probably didn't know what I was feeling inside. But, I had promised Tom a show by the spring and didn't have the luxury of time to wait until each of my girls were miraculously struck by this redeeming lightning bolt. The last thing I wanted though was a show with no substance.

Shortly after expressing my concerns to my friend Jackie, I got a call from the unexpected. It was Renee and she was ready. We would shoot at Jake's on Friday.

Checklist: gear, 4 backdrops, 2 studio lights, 2 reflectors, fogger, fun clothes, cigarettes, chocolates, wine. I had everything and we used it all. Cindy Red came to do her make up. We were four girls, and of us, Renee was the most demure, most responsible, least likely to draw attention to herself. She was the role model for appropriateness and had been all her life.

ZERO inhibition, lazy eyes, white sheets, cigarettes. A cross between a smile and a smirk. Renee looked different. Something inside was changing her and I was getting it all on film. It was a slow motion shoot that lasted until 2:00 a.m. when she could hardly stand and Jake and Red had no voice left from sudden outbursts of appreciation. We needed to call it a night, but didn't want to see it end. We wanted an encore.

All we could do is stay up all night, in awe, to talk about what had just happened. It was Renee that happened. Turning herself inside out - she was comfortable, cool and flawless. And she set precedence for the show. Knowing Renee and seeing Renee on my invitations created quite a buzz. She was aloof and didn't give a damn. Because of her, the objectives for the shoots that followed were made very clear - give all, or give nothing at all. No surprise to me - they took the dare.

Winter was filled with weekly doses of uniformity and celebration. Sometimes, there was so much energy ricocheting off the walls, I swore it would show up on my film and distort my pics. There were a few, too, who weren't buying into it and I was glad, for their cynicism only added dimension to the show. Girls began to share their experiences with their outside circles - instead of 18, there would be many more. I decided not to get stuck on a number. Every shoot was a life and life was intriguing. Under My Skin was opening minds, causing arguments, and moving. Yes, moving. One day Renee declared that this was in fact a movement. A movement where images came to be because of a group of girls who inspired each other to let go. Images that changed the way they saw themselves and therefore, changed them. For some it was a non-apologetic admittance to feeling beautiful, shameless and secure. For others, a chance to be reckless, not responsible and free. Sentiments were of pride and appreciation for the qualities that bind women.

This was all good, but besides making us feel empowered what other good could it do? We immediately turned our attention to the number one factor that binds all women and that is risk of breast cancer.

Last fall I had the pleasure of spending a few days with my childhood friend Candy. She was my best friend Kelly's older sister. My memories of her are full of vivacity and adventure. Kelly and I couldn't wait for her to "go out" so we could lay on her bed and play all of her Beatle Albums. Once, she left town to join a tribe of Indians in Kansas City. When she came home, she was driving her own rig and selling turquoise jewelry. Candy has a Goldie Hawn smile and a Madonna spirit. I was always intrigued. Most recently she has added breast cancer survivor to her list of extraordinary life adventures. Tom Mosser had lost both of his parents to Cancer; he was immediately receptive to the philanthropic twist to the show.

Since its opening in May 2002 Under My Skin has raised significant funds for breast cancer research, namely the Susan G. Komen Foundation on behalf of Candy Eazor and Elaine D'Alesio. Sponsors include: Christina Lurie of the Philadelphia Eagles, Denise DeBartolo York of the San Francisco 49ers, Simon Roofing, Wright Industries, WSB Rehab, Warren Printing and JP Industrial Products. Efforts from committee members including: Jacqueline Flanagan, Renee Halfhill, Cynthia Cappuccio Nied, Tina Toscani combined to make Under My Skin an exhibit that celebrated a life and a fight and the awesome diversity of womanhood. Self-written profiles of each of the girls complement the up-front nature of the project.

Under My Skin will run through the month of October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month) at One Oxford Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Contact Tara Rieland at 412-395-3478.