Kurt Cobain
There’s a reason why we love to look at other people’s photos, why trawling through Facebook albums are such a fun passtime…
We’re vicariously investigating other people’s lives: are they more exciting than our own? More difficult? Boring? We’re trying to find some comfort in the fact that our daily existence might not be as mundane or tragic as we think it is.
We’re obsessed with our own photos as well. Subconsciously reliving our own lives, the moments that we treasure, the highlights…Will it ever be that good again?
It’s all a bit of self-delusion, of course: non of us relish the bad times, the sad times (and no, bad hangovers don’t count) and usually we don’t record them and post them for all to see and scrutinise. And secretly think, “I’m glad I’m not that sad sack!”
A friend passed on this link to a collection of truly awesome photos of celebrities, caught in random life moments. Now I’m not entirely sure where the site got them all from, and even who took them and where, but they make for riveting viewing. I’ve chosen a few of my favourites… Here’s why I like them.
Kurt, kitten and Frances Bean
Kurt Cobain
What gets me is the juxtaposition… Ultimately, Kurt’s demons didn’t allow any saving – they were simply literally heavier than heaven, if I may borrow from their 1989 tour slogan… And even the idolation of a whole generation of teenagers wasn’t enough. The music wasn’t enough. The Mudhoney t-shirt is poignant: Kurt was deeply influenced by the Seatlle-based grunge band. I’m not sure when this was taken… The pic of Kurt, the kitten and Frances Bean just plain hurts. ‘Cos we all know what happened next.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
She’s always the ultimate lady, perfectly turned out, demure with a hint of mischief. This pic shows her in an unguarded, unselfconsciously sexy moment – and it’s awesome. She looks like a girl you’d want to know.
Jack Nicholson
Jack Nicholson
You gotta love the man. That insane streak of humour has always been there. And not even Pippy Longstockings-style pants take away from his basic sex appeal. One of the five people I’d like at a dinner party, for sure.
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
I want to be where Iggy’s partying. No two ways about it. In this moment, he’s a god, invincible. The sheer power of his knowing this is intoxicating.
Johnny Depp & his niece Megan
Johnny Depp
I’ve loved this man since I first discovered him. There’s a hint of the dad he’s turned out to be in this image…
Go check out the images and let me know your favourites… Any extra info on the where and when of these pics are also welcome!
Tags: Audrey Hepburn, celebrity photography, Frances Bean, Iggy Pop, Jack Nicholson, Johnny Depp, Kurt Cobain