In the gallery that I run we are currently having a group show that involves masks of all kinds. This piece is one of several that I created and have included there, and I thought I might bring it out here as well since it's on my mind.
Generally, when we think of masks we understand that someone is deliberately hiding behind something. This piece is challenging this process. We see layers peeling off because they are not necessary or helpful. It's likened to a kernal of wheat that is going through a winnowing process to remove the chaff and retain the valuable kernal inside. It is a personal message coming from my own inner process, as well as something I figure we can all resonate with on some level. Constructed of cast glass and porcelaine.
Letting things go can be difficult. Especially if we believe it contributes to our core identity. I suppose a useful question when looking in the mirror might be: What kind of a person do I really want to become? Is this consistent with who I am now? But these musings are reserved for pensive moments when the rush and business stand perfectly still, and that's rather rare.
What do you think?
person means mask, we all have different persona's masks, I could be a mom a wife a lover a artist etc. But that's not who we really are anyways, just the skin. In that sense, we are the multiverses inside our heads?
We are unlimitless potential (!) We are collective consciousness expressing ourselves through the mask of human beings :D
Thanks for the interesting perspective, @newlifeprojects! We certainly have loads of potential!
very good work. I love masks - ages ago I took a self-portrait off my face with plaster, and lost part of my mustache in it (it was painful, lol). That piece became part of a large object box.
Thank you! But I admit I am laughing at your story! Ok, I am sure it was painful. I have done so many plaster casts I really do understand. Have you previously posted about this project?
no, have not posted yet .... updated this comment, link below, now I did! lol.
The detail of it: a fellow student was doing the cast. I was well greased with vaseline, but when we tried to take the cast off, my mustache was stuck. Tried to figure out what to do. He suggested to break the cast with a hammer, I said "You crazy, you are not going to hit me with a hammer!" Eventually we came up with the idea of taping a boxcutter blade onto a strip of cardboard. Pulling the cast away as far as I could I reached in with the blade and started cutting - but pulling caused quite a bit of pain, and I could not be sure because of the pain whether I cut my mustache or my lip! That I also lost some eyebrows I never noticed. Just glad I did not have a full beard at that time, haha. Now you can have something to laugh about all over again!
I mounted the result of it in an object box. One other copy I made, it broke, and so did the mold.
One of the few pics I have is with my cat in front.
You gave me the idea so I made a post, scraping together a few photos I could find:
https://steemit.com/art/@thermoplastic/time-master
Wow! thanks for sharing this one! What a story! Actually I have heard several stories of people having tragic/stressful results with plaster casts. One of them includes a pregnant woman who had her sister cast her, but she forgot to apply any vaseline. Fire was called to rescue... You can just imagine the rest. I guess a bit of facial hair isn't too bad! Great object box project: the cat certainly adds a distinct presence to the whole!
forgot to apply vaseline? omg, I can imagine. We did a few casts that day, they all turned out good, and I thought I was greased up real good. The heat is quite uncomfortable after a while.
Forgot vaseline - at least they must have remembered to put straws in her nose, but that woudn't be enough if she started to panic.
Yeah. This was a belly/torso cast, so nose holes were unnecessary. But heat was certainly an issue, and constriction of space for breathing, and the ultimate issue, the plaster wouldn't come off. Soaking in water for slow disintegration was the only thing. Certainly panic material!
Very cool work!
;-)
Thanks!
This is so great! It actually reminded me of the 3 reflections of the self in the philosophy. but i should reread that before i say something stupid :D It won't be my first time but ye.
Cheers!
Oh thanks! Now I'm curious about what you are referring to. Whatever it is I don't think I've read it.
It's simple, the theory about 3 selves in the human's persona The first self or"mask" is that you show to the people. The second is the one only you know about like your deepest secrets and stuff. The third one is the one that you don't know about, the that everyone knows except you... i'm not using the terminology but i'm hoping that you get my point. could not find the article about it but i did well by memory i guess :D
Ah, yes, I get it. certainly interesting and it makes sense. Thanks for the explantion!
The porcelaine looks like eggshell and maybe that's the reason why this work evoke me a rebirth.
Porcelaine has a way of doing that, for sure. A rebirth idea is entirely fitting.
I'm really captivated by the combination of mediums you have used: Glass with ceramic? ~ And love the pieces of what look like fine muslin over the eye. Gives a lovely texture.
Also love your analogy with the mask not being something to hide behind but more something that we can peel away ~ Fine layer by layer. Until we come to the truth of who we are.
Thank you! Glad you like it. I enjoy playing with textures and layers. And ideas that might help bump into truth.
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STOPBeautiful piece. Sometimes I put a mask on because I am unsure if my emotional response is appropriate to the situation. I still have childish hang ups I am not proud of, and sometimes I will feel a rush of anger and I am unsure if it justified or even anger. Sometimes being overheated feels like anger, and I have to remove myself from people for a while.
Thank you for sharing, @twirble. I suspect you are not alone with those responses. Of course, being aware certainly helps get closer to some sort of heathy emotional balance. Time away is gold, if you can use it to reset your inner world. I trust you will find the way forward, one step at a time!
Even the clothes we choose to wear are some kind of a mask, either is a uniform, a suit or a brand like Adidas.
People tend to judge a person by his looks.
Congrats for this piece! It looks like Medusa.
Thanks @mansolvedworld! You are quite right. I wear a uniform as a medic and it's crazy how such things change how people treat you, and how I behave differently when wearing it. Medusa, though! Haha! I've thought that too. Back when I cast this piece my hair was acutally a lot wilder.
You have a gallery, how wonderful, I really look forward to seeing more about day to day gallery life, the art and working with customers, artists etc....
Masks...great subject and I'd love to see more of the items in the show if possible!
Actually I hadn't thought to bring that content in here in that way, but I might. This weekend is our biggest splash of the year... Expecting 150,000 people to course through our gallery and all the others on the strip. It's mad. I will get some shots of the action and share. Good idea.
Thank you! Glad you like it!