VANCOUVER – You might be familiar with Dina Goldstein’s work In The Dollhouse, which explored the darker side of Barbie and Ken’s relationship.
Now the Vancouver-based photographer of more than 20 years is exploring religious faith within the context of the modern forces of technology, science and secularism, in her new work called Gods of Suburbia.
“In 2012 I was awarded the Arte Laguna prize that allowed me to travel to Mumbai and spend a few weeks in India. It was there that I was captivated with the prominence of religious deities in society and in people’s personal lives,” says Goldstein in an email interview.
“The complex narratives and iconography of Hindu gods, goddesses and deities inspired me to look into religion and belief systems with a contemporary perspective.”
In the Gods of Surburbia, Goldstein looks at how ancient belief systems fit in a modern world. “The series plays with narrative and religious iconography in order to communicate how organized belief has become twisted within a global framework driven by consumerism and greed,” says Goldstein.
The entire project took two years to complete as each piece had its own set of challenges and issues.
I start with the concept and then figure out what has to be done for the concept to come to life,” says Goldstein. “As with all of my other series, my first priory is to find the right person to portray the lead character of the piece. This process can happen quickly or may take months or even years. I tend to do a lot of street casting and/or work with local actors and performers.”
She does all her own location scouts and prop gathering and once the raw shoot is finished, then the pieces have to be finalized. Goldstein adds she always waits to roll out a complete series, rather than individual works.
“Every image is a challenge to produce,” she says. “I strive to find the right locations and there is always the disappointment of it falling through for one reason or the other.”
To check out more of Dina Golstein’s work and her background, visit her website.
Gods of Surburbia: All photos by Dina Goldstein:
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