About

The idea for this project sprung from a time in my life when I was lost, plagued by regret, trapped physically due to the 2020 pandemic, and mentally by a myriad of life circumstances. The project utilizes the concept of the seven deadly sins, otherwise known as the cardinal sins, as a lens to focus on the different aspects of the human condition in this case often negative aspects. By embodying them through different forms of media like photography, video, music, etc, I gain a better understanding of not just what they mean within the context of the human condition but what they mean and how they are reflected upon me. The goal of the project was to also branch out of my comfort zone, like the condition to publicly declare the project and post certain parts as a way to hold myself accountable and continue the project as well as reaching out to friends and/or acquaintances who work within the creative space to work alongside worth and learn, and ultimately have fun.

Envy (Complete)

Envy (Invidia): “Sad or resentful covetousness towards the traits or possessions of someone else”

Heavily inspired by the gothic, almost baroque aesthetic of the Little Dark Age music video. I tried to not just capture envy but the empty feeling that not only contributes to one feeling envious but, tragically, the void that often remains when one possessed obtains what they covet. Emphasis was placed on hands as they are the physical means by which we grasp the possessions of others. Because it was the first sin covered I wanted to invest more effort and time when it came to the curation of the outfit, makeup, and the set, all of which I couldn’t have done without my friend, thank you.

Sloth (Complete)

Sloth (Acedia): “Absence of interest or habitual disinclination to exertion”

Unlike the Envy, the idea for Sloth came from seeing run-down buildings when making my way around town and thinking, it would be fun to explore and take pictures there. The location we ended up choosing was shown to me by a friend who also volunteered to take photos with his camera. It was a massive empty and abandoned warehouse that nearby students, locals, and transients alike frequented, evidenced by the graffiti and littered paraphernalia. The outfit was only secondary, which ended up being a pair of cargo pants and a crop top, my take on the, at the time, popular “street fashion” movement which I wanted to satirize by adding my own spin on it. Most if not all shots sought to capture the neglected and forsaken environment while transposing with a trend that seemed to me, lazy.

Gluttony (Ongoing)

Gluttony (Gula): Over-indulgence and over-consumption of food or drink

Inspired by The Trickster Makes This World by Lewis Hyde who cited hunger and/or thirst as one of the primary motives behind the trickster archetype across the stories of cultures around the world, hence an outfit inspired by the most famous type of trickster, the jester. The goal is to look physically emaciated which would require me to drop weight from my current 183lbs to 170-175lbs, something about pain making beauty or beauty being pain. This is to undermine expectations of what one imagines to be a glutton, undermining being something the trickster does best. Inspiration primarily from the flamboyant outfits typical of Japanese visual kei bands, primarily Malice Mizer.

Wrath

Wrath (Ira): a strong feeling of hatred or resentment with a desire for vengeance

The idea is to go for a punk/rock aesthetic, leather, mostly black, tight genes, eyeliner, the whole deal. Will differ from the others as it will be presented in a magazine format, this will force me to learn how to edit on photoshop and build those skills for future projects as well. Will need to bulk to a healthier weight and build back the muscle lost for Gluttony. Also plan on adding a video of me playing the guitar, not exactly sure what song yet.

Pride

Pride (Superbia): excessive love of one’s own excellence, considered by some to be the gravest and original sin

Will be my take on avant-garde/designer fashion, mainly Japanese fashion (Yohji and Issey) and some Rick Owens.

Greed

Greed (Avaritia): immoderate love or desire for riches and earthly possessions

Under Construction

Lust

Lust (Lechery): disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure