Photographer Dina Goldstein caused an internet sensation with her project,  ‘Fallen Princesses’ .  The project consisted of fairy tale princesses set in today’s real world.  Members from social sites like digg and stumbleupon embraced the photo series and shared it with the internet communty.  Today the word of mouth from the project is still going strong, if you search for ‘Fallen Princesses’ on google, nearly 4 million results show up.

NERDSociety recently contacted Dina Goldstein to discuss the project.

NERDSociety (NS) : Can you please tell the readers how you got started in photography?

Dina Goldstein (DS): I started my career quite early. I was 21 and fell in love with photography while on a trip to Dahaab (a hippie resort in the Sinai Desert). I then went on to study and work at a camera shop. I shot everything and everyone for free!…and after several years I got some editorial work…and the rest is history.

NS:  You mentioned that you weren’t too familiar with Disney fairy tales while growing up. It was your daughter that introduced you to it. What was your first reaction when you found out about the “happy ending” formula to Disney stories?

DS: I think that there is nothing wrong with a happy ending. Its just that with Disney that always happens because of the heroics of a handsome Prince. This message is sexist and misleading to the young minds of little girls. The truth is that fairy tales were written as gruesome stories with strong messages.  They were not always intended for young children. The problem is that some kids don’t have good parenting to back up these fantasy endings and later find reality too disappointing.

Sleeping Beauty

NS:  For the ‘Fallen Princesses’ series, how did you to come up with the idea?

DS: I came up with the series when right after my mother was diagnosed with breast Cancer. At the same time my daughter was 3 and just getting into the Princesses. She would play with her friends, dress up and watch the movies.  I began to wonder what it would be like for those Princesses if they got sick, lost their money, lost their prince and didn’t have a fairy tale ending.

NS:   Once you got the idea, how long did the process take from  beginning to end?

DS: It took me about a year and a half. I got pregnant and sick at #7 so  the last three were made a little later.  I first conceive the idea but playing with ‘what if?’… What would
happen to Snow White after the Prince carried her away. What if they lost the kingdom and had to lead a normal life?. What if the Prince lost his job and Snow White had no help with kids? What if they had to live in suburbia? I then have to find the perfect person to play the part. Get the costumes perfect and work on locations and props.  Post really depends on what has to be added to make the concept work.

NS:  When I first saw the pictures, it made me laugh. But when I  analyzed  it several more times, there’s social commentary behind it. What did you want the viewers to get out of it?

DS: Every one of them has a strong social message but with a touch of humor..so you were right to giggle.  I’m finding that there are many interpretations of my work and thats
fine. Art is meant to elicit discussion and debate.  I have learned not to take the radical opinions to heart…as I have  read so many comments on web sites around the world.

NS: My favorite one is Ariel in the aquarium because it shows how superficial society can be. Which one is your favorite and why?

DS: Rapunzel is my favorite. It is the reason that I began the project and my first conception. I think its the most emotionally provoking image in the series.

Rapunzel

NS:  You’ve been getting plenty of praises for the project, what are the most memorable comments you’ve gotten?

DS: I’ve received so many letters and emails. The ones that I remember most are not the ones praising my work but the ones that have touched people in a very personal way.  The mother who feels overwhelmed with life, the woman who just got home from Chemo, the many parents with children obsessed with Princesses.

NS:  Has your daughter seen it?

DS: My daughter is 4.5yrs now and she is mostly over the Princesses…on to Barbie now. She is too young to grasp the concepts but certainly recognizes the characters within the pictures.

NS:  What’s your favorite Disney movie?

DS: I like them all!…but Snow White is up there.

Snow White

NS:  Any final word to your fans?

DS: Lately I’ve been dealing with another viral circulation of my work.  Last summer the series went viral but I was credited and many times interviewed…this time I have not been credited and the photographs have been used without permission.  Added to my work is a picture of  a plate of Sushi with the title ‘ Little Mermaid’ . This is truly upsetting and a huge insult to the series.  So many people have donated their time and talents to creating these images. They are represented at a respected gallery in Vancouver and valued as art.  Please, if you see my work used in this way make a comment or write me with the URL (you can contact her through her website).

Belle

I want to thank Dina Goldstein for the interview.  You can check out more of her work on her site at DinaGoldstein.com.  Also, make sure to stop by the official Fallen Princesses site where you can find more information.  Buschlen Mowatt Gallery in Vancouver B.C. is showing the ‘Fallen Princesses’ exhibit until November 15.

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