2011 Mannequin Holiday Video HD.mov

An extension of a personal photography project about what is essentially...Spinsterhood, and the American Way.

What would drive you to pack a family of mannequins into your station wagon, and take them on a road trip? Enough pressure to conform will send anyone packing. That's how I came to this idea over a decade ago.

Well meaning strangers, along with friends and family, would raise an eyebrow when the topic of my unmarried and childless status arose. Indicating with a small facial twitch, not only my audacious freakishness, but that I was a little old for such foolish thinking. I mean, come on, eggs don't last forever!

But really, what was I supposed to do? You can't just go out and buy a family. Or can you? I did. They are mannequins. The candy coated shell with nothing inside. We do all those family things, all the while capturing those Kodak Moments.

We love & obey the formatted image of a well-lived life. So deeply ingrained is that strange auto-grin we put on when a camera is present. Do we live our lives with a keen awareness of how it feels, or just how it looks?

• Category

  Comedy

[Nina Hauser]

watching this on a springy may day in ann arbor and totally loving it! looking forward to meeting you next novembeer!

[Suzanne Heintz]

If you like this, see the CBS Sunday Morning Feature, cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50­137671n

[Alissa Heintz]

Great concept. At least you'll not have to bail the little one out of jail for DUI and I'll bet the hubby will not be looking for spousal support ! Not to metion the fact that he is ALWAYS "stiff".