Saintly Cadavers

by Nora Geist :: You need to be a member to contact artists →Join :: Portfolio

"Stations of a blessed sacrilege" (1995). Georges Bataille’s erotic novella “The Story of the Eye” was the inspiration for my photographic depiction of a most unholy communion. I shot the original content in black & white film and then coloured each photo to add a provocative quality to the set. The models’ skin has the appearance of polished wax, like that of the 'incorruptible' corpses of saints displayed in reliquaries of various churches, cathedrals and basilicas. If a body is judged as incorruptible after death, this is most often seen as a sign that the individual is a saint. Incorruptible bodies are often said to have the odour of sanctity, exuding a sweet or floral, pleasant aroma. The occurrence of incorruptibility—in which the bodies of some saints are thought to have been miraculously preserved—is sometimes referred to as "saintly cadavers". I used a Konica AUTOREFLEX T4 35mm Film SLR Manual camera throughout the series. Click on each thumbnail to get a larger image with more details and numerous photo outtakes.