The Prince and the Pauper

• Photographer
  Horia Manolache, United States

This project wants to be a reflection about the idea of success and
the way the construction and the deconstruction of the image of a
person affects the reaction of the viewer and of the viewed one. It
comes from my inner experience, from the trouble that I have and
had often as a shy person that wants to project a different image
of himself. I recently remembered that, as a child, I used to create
costumes that represented different characters. I believe I was
attracted both of the inner and outer change that a costume gives
you, and how you can feel safe being yourself behind a mask.
Future experiences made me wonder what is the criteria of
showing a person as successful so a thought was to depict the
contrast between who is considered the most "unsuccessful"
person of our society, the homeless person, and their mirrored
image, they as they dreamed to be. A common reaction of the
people I photograph is to play a role when they are in the costume,
so I begin to wonder myself, do we, the rest of the people do this?
We play the role that our costume gives us? This project made
them to reflect about themselves, sometimes realising that life
didn't give them a moment to rest and think about their dreams.