"ELSFIES"
ELSFIES is a conceptual art project initiated in 2008, situated at the intersection of self-portraiture, celebrity culture, and tangible memory objects. The series features individuals—ranging from anonymous participants to internationally recognized figures—holding a Polaroid-shaped business card. This card bears the image of the artist’s face, partially obscured by a pair of 2007 Chanel sunglasses, a recurring motif that transforms the self-portrait into an emblematic token of presence and absence.
At its core, ELSFIES is an exercise in relinquishing control. Each subject is given the freedom to interact with the mini Polaroid in any way they choose. This openness results in an unpredictable, often playful interplay between the subject and the object, collapsing the distance between the artist’s identity and the identity of those who momentarily claim it. Some hold the Polaroid as a badge of recognition, others incorporate it into their own facial features, while a few subvert its meaning entirely—biting, kissing, or positioning it in unexpected ways. The project thus functions as an ongoing dialogue between representation and appropriation, questioning the act of portraiture itself.
The participation of international celebrities underscores the reach and resonance of ELSFIES. Figures such as Lady Gaga, Iggy Pop, and Spike Lee, known for their strong visual and performative identities, bring their own layers of meaning to the project, treating the Polaroid not as a static object but as an interactive medium for self-expression. These moments challenge the typical dynamic of celebrity imagery: rather than being captured in the usual highly mediated, controlled manner, these public figures engage with ELSFIES on their own terms, infusing each portrait with authenticity and spontaneity.
The diversity of interpretations across the series reflects both the individuality of the participants and the universality of the act itself. Whether it is John Landis cheekily placing the Polaroid in his mouth, or Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared using two cigarettes to create the illusion of a mirrored reflection, each contribution adds to the larger tapestry of interaction and improvisation.
By using a self-portrait as an object of exchange, ELSFIES turns the traditional notion of self-representation on its head. The artist’s presence within each image is both undeniable and obscured—reduced to an icon that is ultimately reshaped by the gestures and intentions of others. The result is a portrait series that is not only visually compelling but conceptually rich, revealing as much about the participants as it does about the evolving nature of identity in contemporary culture.
In a world saturated with self-portraits and performative self-representation, ELSFIES asks: what does it mean to truly see oneself, and what happens when that image is placed in the hands of another?
