I hope these two kids work it out.

July 15, 2007 7:01 PM

Recently on Metafilter, we pondered whether we would kiss ourselves if we could. Kelli Connell's Double Life series (nsfw) takes the idea to its conclusion, and presents snapshots from the ensuing relationship. Readers of the earlier thread will be relieved to find that the results are more poignant than creepy.
posted by Ian A.T. (37 comments total)

OP here: As with every other photography site on the web, have fun trying to figure out the unusable Flash interface. Note that there are four pages of images, and you somehow access them with the arrows on the bottom. I've looked at this site for half an hour now, and I have no idea if I've even seen all of the pictures or not.

Also: two years later, my first post on the blue.
posted by Ian A.T. at 7:02 PM on July 15, 2007

nope, still creepy.
posted by lunalaguna at 7:04 PM on July 15, 2007 [2 favorites]

we pondered whether we would kiss ourselves if we could.

Really? Is that really what we did?
posted by dhammond at 7:12 PM on July 15, 2007 [1 favorite]

Excellent series. Thanks.
posted by dobbs at 7:13 PM on July 15, 2007

wouldn't this be taking the idea to it's logicl conclusion as well?
posted by jonmc at 7:23 PM on July 15, 2007 [4 favorites]

Okay, I figured out the navigation. Starting with the first image, go down to the arrow button to the right of the horizontal scroll bar (that is, not the one beside the thumbnails) and that should cycle you through the images. Geesh.
posted by Ian A.T. at 7:27 PM on July 15, 2007

Wow, I didn't see this the first time around. I think there is great beauty in those photos, both pairs. A little strange, and something about the whole deal is upsetting to me. But beautiful. Maybe Richard Avedon would agree with the beauty? At any rate, and just to share, sure I would kiss myself! Haven't you ever wondered what it was like to kiss you? Defensiveness regarding this would lead me to think insecurity.
posted by NotInTheBox at 7:34 PM on July 15, 2007

I wasn't there last time to ponder if I would kiss myself when the MeFitistical 'we' pondered this before. I missed out. Therefore, I'd like to ponder that in this thread instead, since that last thread is archived and closed to new comments.

*ponder* *ponder* *ponder*

I wouldn't want to kiss myself, but I know that my other me would, because he knows how much I rock.

mkthxbi
posted by ZachsMind at 7:36 PM on July 15, 2007

Still awesome.
posted by cowbellemoo at 7:59 PM on July 15, 2007

I liked the first one we saw much better. These new ones are a little samey and lacking in drama. These people's affairs are very humdrum, they all dress kinda dull -- and the photos are also rather plain, lacking in tension and exciting composition.
posted by lupus_yonderboy at 8:13 PM on July 15, 2007

I really liked the one where one of them is vomiting. I found it touching. That is by far my favorite.

Haven't you ever wondered what it was like to kiss you?

Not until now!

Excuse me, I have to go lay in bed and stare at the ceiling for an hour.
posted by Kattullus at 8:26 PM on July 15, 2007

I hardly like myself enough to abide my own presence already. If I had another body I would have to break up with myself immediately. I would tell people, "what a jackass that guy was."
posted by jiiota at 8:26 PM on July 15, 2007

I do have to agree with Kattullus, though- the one by the toilet was quite sweet. That's such a vulnerable moment.
posted by jiiota at 8:27 PM on July 15, 2007

So these are transporter accidents?
posted by blue_beetle at 8:30 PM on July 15, 2007

These new ones are a little samey and lacking in drama. These people's affairs are very humdrum, they all dress kinda dull.

Makes perfect sense to me. If we all dated ourselves, we'd miss out on the tension & spark that normally comes with relationships, and why dress up when there's no chance of passing yourself off as richer, more sophisticated or fitter than you really are?
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:46 PM on July 15, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oogly-boogly factors aside about self-kissing, these compositions are stunning and poignant. Thanks for this.
posted by moonbird at 8:58 PM on July 15, 2007

I would kiss myself if I had more hair.
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:59 PM on July 15, 2007

I dated myself for a while. It didn't work out, and now, I don't talk to me anymore.

Lovely pictures. Interesting idea.
posted by kyrademon at 9:20 PM on July 15, 2007

fascinating work, sumptuous exposure and framing. a very well-executed series.
posted by spaceproject at 9:22 PM on July 15, 2007

So it's like they're twins and they're doin' it. HAWT.
posted by Anonymous at 9:34 PM on July 15, 2007

I mean, it has many artistic merits and the subject matter tenuously balanced between absorbing and disconcerting.
posted by Anonymous at 9:35 PM on July 15, 2007

I went through a bunch of the pictures. I was looking to see if there were 'really' disparate differences; particularly, if someone was a heavy twin, and someone was a thin twin.

Now, yeah, it could be that the ones that went were really similar looking (and dressed accordingly.) Also, that if there was a huge difference, they didn't go/didn't want to be photographed.

And yes, they share (obviously) similar upbringing, and possibly similar food habits.

But c'mon; in the nature vs. nurture debate (with people's busy lives, concern for health, etc.), shouldn't there have been a couple of sets of twins that had a noticeable disparity?\
posted by filmgeek at 10:17 PM on July 15, 2007

I mean, it has many artistic merits and the subject matter tenuously balanced between absorbing and disconcerting.

Plus the model looks very nice with her clothes off.

I would not find myself attractive. I mean, I don't dig guys in that fashion but if I did I'd have better taste. Plus, opposites attract.
posted by maxwelton at 10:22 PM on July 15, 2007

They're such a cute couple!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:30 PM on July 15, 2007

They're such a cute couple!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 10:30 PM on July 15, 2007

That's such a cute couple of comments!
posted by Drexen at 2:16 AM on July 16, 2007

The same concept as featured on Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:23 AM on July 16, 2007

This is going to be an issue once they perfect cloning. Add in the age difference and you get all sorts ethical questions.

I firmly believe that most of humanity (say 90%) could swing both ways, under certain circumstances, but I wouldn't want to date or have sex with myself. My wife, however, might enjoy an extra me. But would that make me jealous? and if so, which me? Original me or new me? We'd need new words in order to refer to ourselves!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:35 AM on July 16, 2007

On further viewing:

The second series is much more creepy. The first was overly dramatic, explosive and seemingly creepy. But when viewed against the second series, it looks almost understandable. Sure, why not have a hot one night stand with yourself? It's just a larger, more tactile version of masturbation.

The second one, though, is about a having a real live relationship with yourself. Why go through the work of finding someone else when you have yourself? We grow as people because we encounter and deal with others, who show us better or worst ways to live. Dating yourself seems lonely, hollow, and the ultimate form of emotionally stunted narcissism.

Still, what I like about the second set is the many faces of the model/photographer.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:32 AM on July 16, 2007

> I dated myself for a while. It didn't work out, and now, I don't talk to me anymore.

Sorry things didn't work for you as well as they did for Jennifer.
posted by jfuller at 5:03 AM on July 16, 2007

we pondered whether we would kiss ourselves if we could
Well, James Brown did.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:24 AM on July 16, 2007

Awesome.
posted by Ryvar at 6:41 AM on July 16, 2007

I like the second one much better, because it seems at once sad, touching, and a little disturbing. Sad and touching because the pictures exude a sort of palpable longing to have another person with you for the mundane moments that make up a relationship; disturbing because...well, that should be obvious.
posted by myeviltwin at 6:42 AM on July 16, 2007

disturbing because...well, that should be obvious.
posted by myeviltwin at 9:42 AM on July 16 [+] [!]

Eponysterical.
posted by graymouser at 6:49 AM on July 16, 2007

Beautiful pictures—thanks!

The one with the drop of mucus hanging off the nose is a little too much realism for me, though.
posted by languagehat at 8:45 AM on July 16, 2007

Also: twincest.
posted by slimepuppy at 10:14 AM on July 16, 2007

great post..

I found my self somewhat captured by the images as they scrolled through...

good stuff... this is why I come to metafilter..
posted by HuronBob at 5:51 PM on July 16, 2007