Artist plays dead at popular tourist destinations for Instagram series on 'morality'

The photos are meant to embrace the roots of what a photograph was 'intended to be'

Artist 'plays dead' at popular tourist destinations (Stock)

An artist says she's attempting to make a statement about morality with a photo series which sees her play dead at popular tourist destinations.

Stephanie Leigh, who is originally from the US but is currently in France, created the Instagram account STEFDIES three years ago - and has since amassed more than 19,000 followers.

In the photos, Leigh poses sprawled out face-down in front of destinations including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and alongside the Seine River.

According to Leigh’s website, the photos, which often feature tourists and locals looking on, are meant to provoke a “discussion on morality, the function of photography, and stir the imagination”.

To capture the photos, which she refers to as “anti-selfies,” Leigh goes about her day and if she finds a spot she finds “particularly provoking,” she takes a STEFDIES photo, featuring her lying on the ground.

The goal, according to Leigh, is to get “tangible physical proof that ‘I was here’” - which she believes is the “truest sense” of what a photograph should be.

The response to the unique project has been positive, with most of the comments from followers expressing their amusement with the photos.

“I’m loving this project,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Thanks for this idea and this performance series.”

As for her plans for the photo series, Leigh told the Daily Mail that she wants to "continue putting something positive into the world" and plans to continue the photo series for years to come.