Arts: For Bachelorettes, What Happens in These Photos Stays in These Photos

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Behold For Bachelorettes, What Happens in These Photos Stays in These Photos By David Rosenberg Posted Monday, Dec 03, 2012, at 02:30 PM ET Behold is Slate's brand-new photo blog. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @beholdphotos and Tumblr. Learn what this space is all about here.  Dina Litovsky's background in social psychology isn't a prerequisite for shooting bachelorette parties—but it doesn't hurt. "The primary theme throughout my work is public performances and interactions," Litovsky said. Her series, Bachelorette, is an ongoing look into the ritual for brides-to-be of whom Litovsky has shot around 20. Litovsky went to her first bachelorette party in 2007, an event where "15 girls rented a hotel room, put on lingerie, and danced on a bed sprinkled with rose petals." It wasn't exactly the "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" rite of passage covered in the majority of Litovsky's work; her images typically include more adventurous and risqué activities. "[Bachelorette parties] do follow a certain prescribed ritual," Litovsky said. "Individuality comes through in details more so than in the process. Penis straws or phallic necklace, fancy Meatpacking [District] bar or Atlantic City hotel room, limo or taxi. The essential of the bachelorette party is to get 'wild'… some may feel very comfortable with a private stripper while for others having a penis-shaped caked is the ultimate limit. But the overreaching idea is to push the boundaries, whatever they are." Bachelorette, as well as Litovsky's other work, including Untag This Photo, "explore self-representation of women in the digital age." The images have a voyeuristic quality, but Litovsky said ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Can Shinzo Abe Save Japan? Goodnight, Moon Was a Texas Student Really Expelled for Refusing To Wear an RFID Chip?	Advertisement
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