“I am the past”

Kees de Graaff sent these self-portraits to How to be a Retronaut. Over to Kees:

“For me, photography began in 1425 with the italian painter Tommaso Masaccio. Today, everything is photography. Not only the way we capture the world and ourselves but also the way we perceive ourselves and the world. Yet we forget that seeing reality through the lens of a camera is a choice we, en masse, have made. There are other choices”

We Are Keees Masaccio (The Naughty Thomas)

I am 170 Lire

I am a portrait of a young man by Botticelli

I am Albert Einstein

I am Bob Dylan

I am drowned (After a photograph of Hippolyte Bayard - "Self-portrait as a drowned man" 18th October 1840)

I am Samuel Beckett

I'm a prince of disorder (Lawrence of Arabia)

I'm Brigitte Bardot

I'm Cimabue

I'm Francis Bacon

I'm Karel Beau de Nadar

I'm Jacques Derrida

I'm Honoré de Balzac

I'm Niccolo Macchiavelli

I'm Prince Willem Alexander van Oranje

I'm Samuel Arnold Conspirator in the Lincoln assassination plot. Washington Navy Yard, 1865

I'm Sarah Bernhardt

I'm The Pope Krishnamurti

I'm Vincent van Gogh

We are Antonin Artaud

If you like this, check out:

jufjo

January 23, 2011 at 12:30 pm · Reply

His photo called “I’m Samuel Arnold Conspirator in the Lincoln assassination plot. Washington Navy Yard, 1865″ actually portrays Lewis Thornton Powell.

KEEES

January 23, 2011 at 1:32 pm · Reply

Dear Jufjo

Your observation is very correct. And I’m fully aware of the fact that not Samuel Arnold but Lewis Thornton Powell is depicted

cordialement

Roberto

January 24, 2011 at 11:01 am · Reply

Dear Kees, Your photographs deserve a whole world of admirers. BEAUTIFUL Keep on rolling!

January 24, 2011 at 12:14 pm · Reply

THANX Roberto. You’re almost embarrissing me. And we certainly keep on rolling. By the way: This “How to become a Retronaut” site is incredible nice, Every week I find now and then some very amazing “stories” and photographs: My very, very favorite is: Australian Criminals. Don’t understand why it’s not on top #1. Have a look at it!

fred

January 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm · Reply

Hiya Kees,

It’s good to see some of your on the net. It’s about time people come into contact with your word and start appreciating it. To me, it’s absolute worldclass what you show us! Keep up the good work!