Photographer Bert Stern had three sessions with Marilyn Monroe for Vogue magazine in late June 1962, six weeks before her death. These sessions produced extraordinarily beautiful and unique images of Marilyn.
When I set about planning to recreate this shoot back in June 2010... I wanted it to be an interpretation NOT an impersonation, that was very important. Little did I realise just how much it would take over my work! I've immersed myself so deeply in studying the shoot, the person and the circumstances around it that it's quite possible that my judgment has become a little cloudy! As a team we have tried to recreate the mood and feel whilst attempting to stay faithful to the lighting techniques of the time. It was the kind of creative collaboration I thrive on. Everyone involved worked their arses off to create something amazing!
Meet my 'MARILYN'
I met Sarah Jurgens very briefly at the RANKIN LIVE! exhibition in September 2009. It was pretty much a, 'Hello... How are you..?' She was busy being 'shot' at the time, however watching her at work and how relaxed she was, really made her stand out. On finding out that she was from Canada and was only here for a brief stay meant that the chances of working together would be slim! She was memorable, and I wanted to work with her! From the results of her shoot with Rankin it was wasy to see why...
We had discussed the possibility of working together, should the opportunity arise, and once the details for this shoot were finalised I knew who I wanted as Marilyn! Once Sarah agreed to taking part we discussed the shoot itself, Marilyn and the events leading up to her death. It became apparent that we shared many ideas as to how the shoot would work... right down to the slightest details!
"This is a fantastic project, especially from an actor's perspective. I'd love to replicate the circumstance of their shoot as much as possible... timing, all the different looks, what they drank, what they ate, when they took breaks... I think the photos will reflect the experience. The photos will tell a story of what happened in the room. I could stare at her photos all day, because she hides nothing. It's all in her eyes..."
Sarah is a talented actress in her own right. Born in Sussex, she grew up on the West Coast of Canada, and trained on the East Coast of Canada. She has appeared in many theatre, film and TV productions. In her final year at York, Sarah and colleague Sasha Singer-Wilson, founded their theatre company, The Blood Projects. The Blood Projects is a place for Sarah to create and explore her work and develop her own fearless artistic voice.
"I grew up only knowing the icon - the silhouette - The Sex Symbol that is... Marilyn Monroe. Her power as a Sex Symbol coupled with her tragic death is deeply disturbing. As I began to learn more about her, I started to crave knowledge about her life and most importantly about who she was as a woman and an actress. I suppose I craved just like everybody else. She was so beautifully conflicted. Her vulnerability is still palpable. The deeper I have searched the more haunted I have become. It seems that all she wanted, and fought for, was to be respected and admired as an artist in her own right, but she fell prey to those who wanted only to take, take, take.
How can anyone say they knew her? She is a mystery. I feel an insatiable desire to protect the memory of her... or at least whats left of it." - Sarah Jurgens
All pics: Make up & hair by Abi Robinson
Sarah undoubtedly helped lift this project to a different level with her professionalism, sheer enthusiasm and attention to detail. She was a joy to work with and has allowed me to look back at this project and simply say, 'Wow!'