Red lipstick island

Red Lipstick Island is a series of photographs taken between 2011 and 2012, assembled into a monumental panorama. This series portrays people with an intimate object of their choice (a photo, a croissant, a jacket, a scarf, etc.) in a dark and obscure setting. I was interested in observing people’s reactions to darkness, to an unfamiliar space. The photographs were taken at night using a flash, allowing the subjects to move freely in the darkness. Through this project, I explore my interest in people’s private lives—young individuals like myself—during a transitional period of their lives. At the same time, I aim to construct a utopia where the only distinguishing factor between people is their intimate object—not skin color, nationality, ethnicity, or religion.

Moreover, the setting of this dream remains unknown to us; it exists beyond time and space. However, there is one common characteristic among all the people: red lipstick.

Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.
Melika Shafahi, ‘Red lipstick island’ series, 2012.