Cindy Sherman: Purim and the Power of Disguise
Cindy Sherman, Clowns, Untitled #416, 2004
As the eclectic holiday of Purim approaches, Jews everywhere are scouring their Pinterest boards looking for relevant and clever costumes to wear to attend their Purim festivities. Every year we see a variety of approaches, the schticky group costume, the cute and trendy duos, and the over-the-top solo acts.
The Purim story is an emotional rollercoaster for the Jewish people. We dress up as an ode to the concept of V'nahafochu- reflecting the story’s theme of concealment and transformation. Just as Queen Esther of Shushan concealed her Jewish identity to save her people, our costumes symbolically echo the idea of hidden layers of identity being revealed in unexpected ways. And of course it is a time of joy and revelry—and dressing up adds to the festive atmosphere. It allows for creative self expression while giving in to the comical and satirical nature of the story of Purim.
Cindy Sherman
Exploring various art forms is a beautiful way to connect with the holiday spirit. The work of Cindy Sherman aligns with the themes of Purim through its exploration of disguise, transformation, and shifting identities. In her iconic Untitled Film Stills, and later works, Sherman uses costumes, makeup, and theatrical settings to embody different personas that challenge perceptions of reality.
Cindy Sherman, Untitled (Self Portrait with Sun Tan), Chromogenic print on Photo Paper with full margins, 76.2×50.5cm, 2003
Her pieces are not the typical self portrait, but a story told through visual stills. She becomes the ultimate master of disguise. The New Jersey born artist stresses, “I feel I’m anonymous in my work. When I look at the pictures, I never see myself. Sometimes I disappear.” In her Murder Mystery People, she throws herself into a world of noir intrigue, embodying 17 different characters straight out of a 1930s Hollywood crime film.
By transforming herself into exaggerated personas, she highlights how fashion and disguise can be a means of stepping outside the ordinary—a concept that feels right at home with the spirit of Purim.
Cindy Sherman, 2011, Collage Portrait at Hauser & Wirth
The introductory words of our Purim story are "Be'emay Achashverosh" (translated as "In the days of King Ahasuerus")- Not only does this set the stage of the ancient Persian setting, but it alludes to a time of concealed miracles. The heroine of our story, Esther conceals her Jewish identity to gain power in the eyes of the King, ultimately saving the Jewish people- while Haman’s plot is overturned in an ironic twist of fate.
This relates to the characters in Sherman’s work where identities are constructed and altered. With outrageous wigs, nose putty, and grotesque makeup she, alone in her studio, takes on multiple roles. She plays with the tension between how we present ourselves and reality- questioning the roles we have and the ways identity is depicted.
Her series of photographs called Clowns uses costumes and makeup to explore the concept of wearing a facade in today’s society, featuring a series of characters dressed as clowns. The eccentric artist said in an interview, “clowns are sad, but they’re also psychotically, hysterically happy.” This taps into the strange paradox of Purim— where joy and tragedy co-exist. Her clowns, with unsettling expressions and exaggerated grins, toy with performance and reality. I think this is a good reflection of Ad Lo Yada- we drink “till we don't know” the difference between Haman and Mordechai. Even in the sorrow and tragedy of today, Purim demands celebration- It is a mitzvah (commandment) to embrace this joyous month of Adar! But what we present to the world, much like Sherman’s stills, don't always reflect what is hidden within.
The idea of escapism and shifting roles connects deeply to the holiday that celebrates hidden miracles and the reversal of fortunes.
We wear masks and costumes that allow us to step into different versions of ourselves, revealing deeper truths about identity, power, and perception.
Cindy Sherman, “Headshots,” 2000
By exploring these themes artistically, Sherman’s work serves as a modern reflection of how we celebrate Purim today. It is a day of fantasy and celebration detached from reality. But even in the fleeting moments of escapism, the layers are peeled back and hidden truth always comes to light.
Chag Sameach!
