miranda clark at public pool

Becoming Vanna

Apr 7

Becoming Vanna looks to the 1987 autobiography of Vanna White, Vanna Speaks. By following her advice on how to be beautiful in mind, spirit, and body, I seek to emulate the sparkle of one of America's best-known and best-loved TV celebrities. This body of work includes pieces I have made that mirror Vanna’s career and aspirations for stardom.
My practice quotes scripts relating to romance and rewrites the story by means of installing chandeliers in the Black Forest, staging weddings that are at the same time legal and pretend. Love letters, karaoke, heartthrobs, unrequited romances, engagement rings, and Whitney Houston are all integral aspects to my art.

The Queen of Game Shows made her name as a smiling, clapping letter-turner on Wheel of Fortune. Her squeaky-clean image adorned in a different sparkling dress every night garnered a massive following. Behind glitzy doors is always a more human story which is where Clark derives her inspiration.

*A Guide to Becoming*. Image courtesy of the artist

This collection from Vanna’s arsenal of wellbeing accoutrement contributes to the show’s kitschy ambience.

*Anywhere Else But Here* 2.1”x3.4” Instax Mini. Image courtesy of the artist

Reflecting Vanna, Clark documents her travels. Here is where Clark’s talent shines through. Her Instax photos are captivating in their tiny mysterious compositions. What makes them remarkable is there’s no photoshop to tweak an image to your liking. You either got the shot or you didn’t. It’s a format that truly tests a photographer’s mettle.

The larger 35mm emulsion photographs are well executed. Sure, you can manipulate images in the darkroom, but it takes an expert to get it right. This image uses light and shadow to create melodrama from an otherwise mundane scene.

Legions of celebrity fans follow a star’s every move, mesmerized by the glamour. Incurable romantics hold onto sentimental and idealistic views. I’m somewhat envious a person can continue to subscribe to these ideologies when the world can grow so dark. Although this show reads a bit like a drug store tabloid, this photographer is no paparazzi.

It pains me to report this gallery’s presentation was concerning. None of the pieces were labeled and there was no image list available. The gallery is only open on Saturdays making it difficult to view the show. This undermines the work exhibited. With Detroit’s art scene rapidly expanding post covid, it’s going to take attention to detail to keep up.

On view through April 30th at Public Pool 3309 Caniff, Hamtramck

*images are mine unless otherwise noted