Artist Edward L. Rubin has created a compelling photography series called "MY MANNEQUIN MOMENT" that explores the profound moments when people realize they are living inauthentically. The series uses mannequins as metaphors to represent the universal experience of recognizing that one's current situation, role, or beliefs do not align with their true self.
Rubin describes himself as a lifelong storyteller who has evolved through multiple artistic mediums. His creative journey began with painting, progressed through designing sets and environments for film and television, and has now culminated in photography. He explains his attraction to photography by emphasizing its power to contain entire worlds within a single frame, stating that "one photograph can tell us everything we need to know about someone in a particular moment, time, and place."
The concept behind "MY MANNEQUIN MOMENT" centers on what Rubin calls "that transcendent moment when we know, we really, really know, that we are not meant to be where we are, or be doing what we are doing." He describes these as moments when people recognize that their current involvement in situations, thoughts, or relationships neither serves their highest good nor reflects their authentic selves. According to Rubin, this is a universal human experience that everyone encounters at some point in their lives.
Rubin's artistic philosophy addresses the societal conditioning that shapes human behavior from birth. He notes that people are "born into belief systems that carve grooves in our minds about success, normalcy, power, sex, inferiority, superiority, race, class, masculinity, femininity, and beauty." The artist poses a crucial question about when individuals stop listening to externally imposed voices and begin honoring "that one true Voice within us, our sacred Self."
The choice of mannequins as central figures in his work is deeply symbolic. Rubin explains that mannequins represent "abstracted idealizations of human beings that supposedly embody unattainable perfection." He views them as "false dreams personified" and uses these artificial forms as surrogates for his subjects during their decisive moments of awakening. The mannequins serve as powerful metaphors for the moment when people no longer fit into prescribed roles and "the veil is lifted."
Rubin's artistic approach combines the visual narrative techniques of feature films with photography to reveal universal truths through his personal emotional perspective. He emphasizes that each shot is instantaneous and timely, creating what he describes as "the perfect fusion of idea and creator in a single frame." This methodology allows him to capture and convey complex emotional and psychological states within his narrative portraits.
The ultimate goal of Rubin's "MY MANNEQUIN MOMENT" series extends beyond artistic expression to emotional connection and empowerment. He hopes that viewers will recognize themselves in these portraits, seeing and feeling their own struggles while understanding they are not alone in their experiences. Through this recognition and shared understanding, Rubin believes people can be empowered to "step into their own greater, beautiful, authentic unfolding." More information about the artist's work can be found at www.edwardlrubin.com.
