The Great Pretender
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Dates2023 - Ongoing
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Author
- Location New York, United States
The Great Pretender, is an exploration of the multifaceted nature of modern masculinity and its contradictions. In this dance between reflection and being reflected upon, it navigates the space found in between.
‘’I’m tired of constantly having to be the man, or the bigger person. Sometimes I just want to cry, sometimes I just want to scream. Sometimes I just want to be held, you know. Not that I want to be a baby, but just like, as a grown man I enjoy being held. I enjoy feeling safe as well, as providing the safety.’’ - Joseph (30).
The Great Pretender, inspired by the eponymous song by The Platters, is a personal exploration of modern masculinity among young adult men. Since September 2023, I’ve been photographing men aged 21 to 35 from various backgrounds—students, artists, musicians, IT professionals, chefs, boxers, bachelors, husbands, and fathers.
As a woman from the Netherlands, I am fascinated by the nuances of masculinity I have encountered since moving to New York City. Despite the growing fluidity of gender norms today, I have observed a persistent struggle with traditional expectations and the same challenges faced by previous generations. There is a sense of being encouraged to express vulnerability, fears, and emotions while also feeling the pull of old-school ideas about what it means to “be a man.” This tension between modern and traditional roles inspired me to delve deeper into the interplay between evolving desires and entrenched norms.
Through a combination of portraits and metaphorical images, the project explores the duality of what has changed and what still needs to change. The contradictions became particularly apparent through conversations I had, which are conveyed in both audio and text formats. In this dialogue between reflection and representation, The Great Pretender navigates the space between authenticity and façade. It reveals the deep-rooted struggle between internal feelings and external expectations, inviting viewers to consider how deeply these roles are still embedded in our culture.
