Over the summers of 2001 and 2002, Mary Ellen Mark (1940-2015) brought a team of assistants and a large-format Polaroid camera to Twinsburg, Ohio, for the annual Twins Days Festival. The resulting series captures the physical similarity, and subtle differences, of identical twins.
Cory Woodall, Assistant Curator at The San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA), explains: “Mark engaged the twins in conversation, getting to know them in the short time they had together during the photoshoot. She worked with them in determining their poses and facial expressions. Some are depicted goofing around, whilst others embrace, or are straight-faced. These choices help to communicate the sitters’ personalities and what image they wanted to represent themselves: light-hearted, loving or self-controlled. Later, after the photoshoots had occurred, Mark conducted phone interviews with the twins to better understand their experiences and attitudes. Snippets from these interviews are included.”
At SDMA, the works are installed in groups based on subject, style and theme. The lack of background places the viewers’ focus entirely on the sitters (or standers). The only contextual clues come from the poses, expressions and clothes, which were chosen independently. “Mark wanted to capture the twins as themselves, not necessarily in the context of the fair. She realised the best way to present the pristine details was with a highly specialised large-format Polaroid camera. The camera is enormous and was wheeled into position. The conspicuous nature of this contraption eliminates any of the candid spontaneity of the more traditional Polaroid snapshots most of us are used to. It is well-suited to formal, posed portraits. The cool, calm atmosphere belies the hot, frenzied atmosphere of the festival in the midst of summer.”
The featured image depicts Lakeasha and Takeasha Edwards, both 21 years old (Takeasha older by five minutes.) The portrait is confident and assured – both twins taking a mirror-image gesture. The minute shifts in stature and outfit draw the eye: Lakeasha wears multiple necklaces; Takeasha several rings on her hands. Lakeasha holds her feet further apart; Takeasha pivots her feet closer together, pointing her hip further outwards – towards her sister.
Beyond these intriguing compositional nuances, Mark’s process – both formally and conceptually – draws attention to the idiosyncrasies of the portraits, drawing on the Polaroid print as a unique object. This sense of individuality is important for SDMA as it brings the show into 2020 dialogues. Woodall explains: “This exhibition allows us to consider that despite appearances, no two people, or types of people, are ever exactly the same. The interviews also demonstrate a diversity of experiences and outlooks. When we take the time to truly consider each other, we find that we cannot always trust our assumptions and that it is rewarding to take a closer look.”
Mary Ellen Mark: Twins, The San Diego Museum of Art, Until 7 March. sdmart.org
Credits:
1. Lakeasha and Takeasha Edwards, 21 years old, Lakeasha older by 5 minutesMary Ellen Mark. Lakeasha and Takeasha Edwards, 21 years old, Lakeasha older by 5 minutes, 2002. Large-format Polaroid. Collection of Cam and Wanda Garner. Copyright: Estate of Mary Ellen Mark, Courtesy: Howard Greenberg Gallery.
2. Paula Mathis and Polly Mathis Wasdin, 29 years old, Polly older by 8 minutes, Mary Ellen Mark. Paula Mathis and Polly Mathis Wasdin, 29 years old, Polly older by 8 minutes, 2002. Large-format Polaroid. Collection of Ken and Jacki Widder. Copyright: Estate of Mary Ellen Mark, Courtesy: Howard Greenberg Gallery.
3. Elizabeth and Zoe Wagoner, 15 years old, Zoe older by less than 1 minute, Mary Ellen Mark. Elizabeth and Zoe Wagoner, 15 years old, Zoe older by less than 1 minute, 2002. Large-format Polaroid. Collection of Ken and Jacki Widder. Copyright: Estate of Mary Ellen Mark, Courtesy: Howard Greenberg Gallery.
4. Linda Coppage and Brenda Roche, 51 years old, Brenda older by 15 minutes, Mary Ellen Mark. Linda Coppage and Brenda Roche, 51 years old, Brenda older by 15 minutes, 2002. Large-format Polaroid. Collection of Cam and Wanda Garner. Copyright: Estate of Mary Ellen Mark, Courtesy: Howard Greenberg Gallery.
5. Rosalin, Marlene, and Amber Bruss, 19 years old, Marlene oldest by 1 minute, Rosalin second oldest by 1 minute, Mary Ellen Mark. Rosalin, Marlene, and Amber Bruss, 19 years old, Marlene oldest by 1 minute, Rosalin second oldest by 1 minute, 2002. Large-format Polaroid. Collection of Ken and Jacki Widder. Copyright: Estate of Mary Ellen Mark, Courtesy: Howard Greenberg Gallery.
