Herd
The madness of stampede
An archaic pounding in my ears
The herd demands that I
Erase my face
Fallen truths like dead flowers in a field
Years obliterated
Identifying marks lost
I am disappeared
No longer the other
Safe
Belonging
Herd
The Herd Photographic Series and Video, created in 2019, was inspired by philosophers, Nietzsche and Kierkegaard, and examines the dynamics of herd mentality and group think. I am exploring the trend of cosmetic surgery, the altering and erasure of unique identities and individuality to present the identifying marks of a particular herd…seen as marks of distinction, an upper socioeconomic indicator of belonging and a mask of protection for groups of women.
© All Rights Reserved by Susan Pelteson
Special thanks to Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, Associate Curator, Orlando Museum of Art for her ongoing invaluable assistance and screening of the Herd Video at the Museum in 2019. Thanks also to Miles Stancil for his strong video collaboration and to Jim Hardiman, my web designer, for his ongoing skilled technical expertise.