Art Press December 1987 Dossier Examines Photographic Portraiture and Identity

The December 1987 issue of art press features a special dossier focusing on photographic portraiture. This editorial decision was made during a period when numerous artists and historians frequently reference Jean Baudrillard's theories. The publication explores how the photographic portrait serves as a privileged terrain for examining contemporary dialogues about identity. At a time when simulations often blur with reality, the dossier investigates the relationship between portrait and identity through this specific medium. The issue examines the intersection of representation and selfhood in photographic practice. Art press selected this theme to address significant artistic and theoretical concerns of the late 1980s. The dossier positions photographic portraiture as a critical site for understanding broader cultural shifts. This editorial feature represents a focused investigation into a medium undergoing substantial theoretical examination.