Gabrielle Dapremont | Filmemories

Beautiful Disturbance

Beauty is subjective and represented in diverse ways. At times, its allure is surface-level, concealing more deleterious qualities beneath.

This series explores that duality through three subjects: shrike birds, pufferfish, and poison dart frogs. At first glance, these animals embody natural beauty that seems harmless; however, they are some of the deadliest animals in the world. The juxtaposition of their beauteous yet perilous nature ties them together by a theme of beautiful disturbance.

Each animal is depicted in abstract visuals with heavy layering and repetition. Prints of these images were attached to a pedestal, allowing the work to become a three-dimensional experience. Positioned on the top of the pedestal sits broken glass, which symbolizes danger; triggering the viewer to engage with caution.

The clash between seemingly innocent yet cunning, cute but deadly, and beautiful though disturbing, calls attention to how deceptive beauty can be.