Fallen Princesses
By Dina Goldstein
8 Jun 2009
These works place Fairy Tale characters in modern day scenarios. In all of the images the Princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict. The '...happily ever after' is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues.
The project was inspired by my observation of three-year-old girls, who were developing an interest in Disney's Fairy tales. As a new mother I have been able to get a close up look at the phenomenon of young girls fascinated with Princesses and their desire to dress up like them. The Disney versions almost always have sad beginning, with an overbearing female villain, and the end is predictably a happy one. The Prince usually saves the day and makes the victimized young beauty into a Princess.
As a young girl, growing up abroad, I was not exposed to Fairy tales. These new discoveries lead to my fascination with the origins of Fairy tales. I explored the original brothers Grimm's stories and found that they have very dark and sometimes gruesome aspects, many of which were changed by Disney. I began to imagine Disney's perfect Princesses juxtaposed with real issues that were affecting women around me, such as illness, addiction and self-image issues.
There are 2 more to be shot for this series which is going on exhibit on Oct. 15/09
44 responses
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Adam Heath said (9 Jun 2009):
you are my hero. this is a fantastic series, great and well executed concept.
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Rey mos gave props (10 Jun 2009):
wonderful idea and I do believe in fairy tales sometimes...
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Alexandru Valentin Iedu gave props (12 Jun 2009):
BIG CONGRATULATION AND MY BIG VOTE :)
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Karyn K gave props (13 Jun 2009):
this is awesome!!!
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Rebecca Martin said (14 Jun 2009):
This is a great idea and an interesting take on the modern day version. But please remember that the Brothers Grimm are not the first ones to come up with Fairy tales, in fact many of their stories have roots in both the written and verbal traditions started in MANY different countries around the world. What is even more interesting than that, is that many cultures have stories that are almost identical even though their geographical location is no where near each other. These stories found their way around the world, and each culture found a way to turn them into a story that fit their cultural rules and practices. And now, you are doing the same thing...that is what is the most interesting thing, these stories never stop evolving...
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Nick Nieto gave props (14 Jun 2009):
This is a great series… awesome work!
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Silia Valdez said (15 Jun 2009):
Awesome series you have here! I love the Cinderella in the bar.
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Kenn Iseli gave props (15 Jun 2009):
Perfect representation.
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SuAnne Hall gave props (15 Jun 2009):
Love them, powerful and humorous
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Matt Snow said (15 Jun 2009):
These are great! I just blogged about your pics.
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linda lin gave props (15 Jun 2009):
fantastic interpretation. bone-chilling. but fantastic.
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linda lin said (15 Jun 2009):
by the way, i just thought of the perfect soundtrack for this project (if there were to be one to go with the pictures): alanis morisette's "that i would be good".
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Josue Ramirez said (16 Jun 2009):
awesome pictures u ROCKS!!!!
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Eric Tamme said (16 Jun 2009):
You stole my idea!!! - well at least it is a good run on the theme. See mine at
http://jpgmag.com/photos/1319025
-Eric -
Bonnie Burton said (16 Jun 2009):
This reminds me of a live-action "Fables" comic. AWESOME!
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Emily Maggard said (16 Jun 2009):
This series is take it or leave it for me. Some of them make me think a bit- why is Cinderella in the bar- she looks sad? But to me, and given I've only dabbled in art and taken coursework on the BA level- so maybe I'm not informed enough, but I feel art should make you think about more than "what is going on here?" Go ahead and tell me I "don't get it" but then, someone, please, explain it to me. Snow White hits home, and Belle is funny (but wasn't she the smart one anyway?), but to me this just propagates the stereotypes that the artist took issue with. The best it seems is Sleeping Beauty- there is irony and wit, and great expression. Jasmine is particularly depressing because not only is she pressed into the "terrorist" mold, but she is also pressed into a mold that she wouldn't be able to be a part of, ever, and she's dressed like a hooker on an army base. Lil' Hood- how hard was that concept to come up with? Fat chick carrying fast food- what is the commentary? I'd just really like to see something fresh done with these concepts- it seems the artist is on the right track, but I really hope this is draft version- that goes for a lot of the lighting and photoshop work too. I see lots of talent, some substance, but lots of potential.
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Renegade Mom said (17 Jun 2009):
I love you I love you I LOVE you!!!
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Joven DelaCruz gave props (17 Jun 2009):
wow! really amazing photos. I'm a fan.
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chad said (17 Jun 2009):
Wow! More ironic dystopia! This shit is like hippies! DIE ALREADY!
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Caryn Schafer said (17 Jun 2009):
This is brilliant. Very well executed too! You may have already heard this song, but this series immediately brought to mind the song "Fairytale" by Sara Bareilles.
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Dave Jacobsen said (17 Jun 2009):
so well done. great job
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louise larsen gave props (18 Jun 2009):
This is one of the funniest, insightful things I've read in a long time. Thank you.
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Stephanie Fitch said (18 Jun 2009):
These shots are nice and have some interesting ideas, but I think more research could have been put into these photos. The Cinderella one doesn't relate to the fairy tale at all. Perhaps if she was serving pumpkin pie in a dinner it could of had more sadness/relevance/irony - which would have made for a stronger, more powerful message/photo.
Also, someone commented on the Jasmine one about how inaccurate her gear is - the wrong kind of gun for the ammo she's carrying, two fingers on the trigger, etc. It may seem nit-picky, but close attention to details like that will make the photos much more powerful.
The Bell and Rupunzel ones make the most sense/actually have irony to them, but the others could be improved on. Stylistically they're all nice, but the concepts need cleaning up. Like someone else commented, this series has potential, but I don't think it's there yet. -
Adrian Lopez said (18 Jun 2009):
Es un Trabajo muy bueno me encantaron las fotos suerte desde Mexico
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Tim Smith said (19 Jun 2009):
Much as I like some of these, and appreciate the quality work and vision, not sure they're good for 3yo's!
/.. -
escapista photography gave props (19 Jun 2009):
great series
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Michelle Liggett gave props (20 Jun 2009):
Fantastic! I look forward to additional "Fallen Princesses"!
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Karen Walker said (20 Jun 2009):
This makes me really sad. I don't think I want to see real life. Probably why I love the world of Disney so much. It's pure magic. An escape. My personal bent aside, it's a really cool idea. Really well done. Nice.
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Jeannie Pink said (21 Jun 2009):
This picture series has really disturbed me. When I look at the first picture of Cinderella in blue on the pink background I have wonderful images flood my mind of happier times. Life's realities are bad enough. I need more fantasy in my life especially now as I am getting older and experiencing these tragedies myself. I work with children who are living these realities everyday and they need more fantasy in their life. Isn’t that what gets us through the difficult times? Disney has always been up front that they are selling a fantasy. That’s what Disney World is all about. Do you want to go to Disney World for a dose of reality or a dose of fantasy? Would you want to see these princesses when you take your child to Disney World? What is more disturbing than the "perfect" princesses are the media agencies that try to sell a false reality such as teen magazines and teen T.V. shows. As a young girl these images were the most damaging to my self esteem as I continually strived for that false perfection. I never strived to be like one of the princesses. I just had fun dressing up and pretending because I knew they weren’t real.
Apart from my opinion on the topic, the photos are of high quality and you've done a great job with the scenery, costumes and details. -
Nathalie schon said (22 Jun 2009):
Great idea!!
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Julie García gave props (23 Jun 2009):
very interesting!
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Jessica Strauch said (25 Jun 2009):
Olá, sou brasileira, e confesso ter um dia acreditado em contos de fada...
Embora eu ainda me depare com alguns sonhos que só acontecem em filme mesmo, eu achei super dez essa ideia, porque além de mostrar a realidade, faz com que as crianças não vejam mais o mundo como uma maravilha...
Porque hoje em dia nem sequer você pode respirar direito.
Adorei esse projeto fotográfico... Ficou maravilhoso
Parabéns!!!
:** bjins da jeh
hug hug hug -
gioia gottini gave props (28 Jun 2009):
amazing project!
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cj lynch said (7 Jul 2009):
Cool story, i could appericate that you gave people a reality check about life. Life is more than just waking up with makeup and waiting for prince charming to come around.
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Elizabeth Flick said (15 Jul 2009):
is there no way these (the cinderella and jasmine ones at least) be made into wallpapers? they are AMAZING! and I would love to have these in my library.
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Lise Utne gave props (25 Jul 2009):
Great idea and excellent photos. My vote.
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Maura Wolfson-Foster gave props (28 Jul 2009):
Absolutely Fabulous....! Many votes from me :)
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Eldora said (8 Sep 2009):
amazing series
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Silentkitty =^.^= said (16 Sep 2009):
These photos are Amazing^^ It's funny how many people commented on "Not so little Ridding Hood" and "Jasmine at war" LOL People saying it's not art just because there's a fat girl with fast food in the photo (people don't get fat by fast foods?... come one people)???... I prefer not to really say anything about "Jasmine at war" because I'm Mexican(I look white though) and when people make fun of my culture Big Deal I say because a lot of times it's true LOL... BUT a lot of people think and feel different...? The "Not so little Ridding Hood" though I can't believe how many people are in denial. We are all so fat now and days. We are not active like we used to be and fast food is everywhere and cheap. I said it... now all you people out there... SNAP OUT OF IT!!! ^^ LOL Like I said before though you people love your love handles Awsome!!! You people like to be in shape Awsome!!! Beauty I say is in the person. I love all these Photos, they are all so true and Amazing!!! Also this... is... ART you people that say you can judge if somethings art or not!!! Go Suck On A Lemon!!! LOL Don't listen to everyone and Keep up the good work Dina Goldstein >^.^
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Lynda Jeffers gave props (1 Oct 2009):
I really like these images and it is great to see your interpretation of how they would be in the real world...love them...my vote!
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Heidi Currie gave props (10 Oct 2009):
The most interesting work I've seen in this genre. Congratulations.
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Ryan McKay gave props (16 Oct 2009):
Love the idea, and beautifully done.
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Catherine niya said (20 Oct 2009):
Do you still believe in the fairy stories and think that Prince and Princess would have a happy ending? Do you still believe in that love would last forever? If the answer is No. Congratulations! You are in the world of adults. One important feature for being mature is, you are no long fond of the happy ending of every story. Recently, Dina Goldstein, the photographer, released the collection of Fallen Princess. Maybe it is te first time that females re-observe the fantastic fairy stories in another way.
In this collection, Dina Goldstein just sets up some scenes which are familiar to us and could be found in our daily life. Cinderella is no more the girl in crystal shoes, but the girl who could not take a taxi, the girl who has the lipstick-teeth problem and the girl who needs to have a drink in order to get rid of the bad mood. The ball is over, the prince has something to do alone and even Cinderella has to fact to life all by herself.
Snow White could be the virgin forever in the fairy story, she is fair, she is innocent and she could never be a mother. But what is in the reality? After the wedding, Snow White became an ordinary housewife and has to give birth to the children. No more luxury jewel in the box for her, a silver rubber wristbands could be a nice decoration then. The Rapunzel might face to the terrible fact of baldness; the Little Red Cap would not stay as a little girl forever but comes to her maturity and the delicious cookie would give her a big belly; the Sleeping Beauty could stay young as she sleeps all the time, but her husband, the pretty prince would enter the Nursing House as he becomes old. The American Army would destroy Jasmine’s hometown and the facial surgery would take place on Bella’s face. Lots of terrible things would happen to these beautiful princesses. And this is the real world. -
Tegan Jones said (30 Oct 2009):
I'm not sure why so many people are focused on the obesity issue in this photo. When you look at the series as a whole, it seems like a statement about what life does to our dreams. Whether its being thin or beautiful or free or at peace, life takes our dreams from us and turns them to reality. These are just a few depictions of that idea.
