IDENTICALLY DIFFERENT

The phenomenon of identical people who originate and have grown from a single cell is fascinating. This story is about an identical twin, born on 20 July 1996. They are 'mono-mono' twins, not only sharing the womb but also one amniotic sac and a single placenta. Two people cannot be more identical than that. 

While others always treated them as 'one'; they knew from a young age all too well how different they were. After a process of years one of them made the profound decision to follow his long-felt, true identity… Laura became Laurens. This choice led to both Laurens and Yentl having to discover who they really are, as an individual and as twins. I followed them through the process of self-discovery and claim for identity. 

The project is still ongoing, the photos on this website represent only a small selection of the series. 

The youth picture that is part of the series is sole property of the family of Laurens and Yentl.

Exhibitions

Fotofestival Naarden, the Netherlands, May 2019

Photofestival Pluie d'Images, Brest, France, January 2019

Festival Circulation(s), Paris, France, March 2018

Metrostation Hôtel de Ville, Paris, France, March 2018 

© Judith Helmer | All rights reserved
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