Thursday, April 28, 2011

MASKS

1.

I would say my mask relates more to the pe-modern. It was designed to appear very theatrical and to emulate the natural world. It was very interesting to photograph the mask because in away, it removed me from the image. Yes, it is me behind the mask, but the mask itself covers up most recognition. I was in the image but freed from the viewer. I no longer bore my persona, but rather, that of something else. While some say removing the mask creates freedom, I would say that in some cases, putting the mask on can do the same.

2.

I would say it very much relates to the ideal portrait. Nature is where I feel closest to God. In thinking about how I wanted my mask to look, I wanted to incorporate nature. My mask is my real self in many ways. I am a broken human being (the chards of glass) but am made one in Christ (the mask as a whole). As mentioned above, masks can be a source of security in an insecure world, however, they can also be a reality which depicts the ideal being who we aspire to be. I want to be close to God and nature often serves as my mask.

1 comment:

  1. In this black and white photo there is someone wearing a mask. The mask has broken glass and feathers on it. It looks like the figure is over a puddle or something because of the appearance of water with ripples. The viewer can see the eyes of the figure behind the mask.

    The large ripple-looking object behind his head reminds me of the "halos" on the old paintings of saints in the church, adding a spiritual element to the photo. The broken glass could possibly represent brokenness. I think that seeing the real eyes behind the mask make the photo more compelling, because it shows the life that is behind the mask. I think the feathers also add a tribal element to the photo.
    -Johanna

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