ken hermann peers behind the masks of hollywood street characters

ken hermann peers behind the masks of hollywood street characters 
(above) bumblebee – victor borboa

 

 

 

amongst the bustling crowds and chic boutiques on the streets of los angeles are a cast of costumed characters, waiting for curious passersby to take a photo. these figures make a living by playing the part of hollywood icons like marilyn monroe and darth vader, by letting themselves being photographed with thousands of tourists each day.

chewbacca – jabari farrow

 

 

 

in the series ‘behind the mask’, copenhagen-based photographer ken hermann presents a more serious aspect of each character, taking a look at the lives that hide inside the cartoon costumes and outlandish outfits. most of the street characters have one thing in common: they are, or once were, pursuing the american dream of becoming someone special and famous. ‘it is this struggle mixed with the childish fantasy world I find interesting’, hermann says.

minnie mouse – milagro aguiar

 

 

 

‘normally the street characters are pictured with a funny face in lively settings but instead I was aiming for the more personal expression of the real person behind the mask,’ hermann describes. ‘in order to enhance this, several of the portraits was also taken in the characters’ own home or neighborhood.’

marilyn monroe – april Q. russell

darth vader – joe

mad hatter – jason

superman – javier francisco

charlie chaplin – tobias santiago

captain boulevard – jason huges

spiderman – rashade rouse

 

 

phase one XF – behind the scenes
video courtesy of ken hermann