French artist Thomas Mailaender created the “Illustrated People” series by transferring vintage film negatives from the Archive of Modern Conflict onto his volunteers’ skin using a special gel and UV lamp, resulting in temporary photo prints caused by mild sunburn.
He photographed the fleeting images on skin to capture these moments before they vanished. Mailaender sees this unique approach as a way to break away from conventional photography frames and embrace performance as an artistic medium. He values imperfections in art and believes that accepting our essential humanness enriches both life and creativity. The project reflects his philosophy that imperfection is natural and beautiful, highlighting the melancholic yet authentic aspects of the human condition. Mailaender’s work encourages viewers to lower their standards of perfection and appreciate the imperfect reality that makes us truly human.
More: Thomas Mailaender h/t: flashbak