Mask is the end result of some experimentation at home one evening with the shutter speed and exposure length settings on my digital camera. The source object for Mask is an end table lamp.
Unlike most of my abstract photographs which take anywhere from days to months for a title to present itself too me, the title Mask came very quickly to me for this photograph. I imagine the reason for this lies in the fact that it made me think of a poem I wrote a very long time ago in my youth called The Chameleon which reflects the essence of Mask.
The Chameleon
I have no identity of my own.
I am your creation.
I don the clothes of your perception,
Living the life you have made for me.
I have no history but, what you have given me.
I mirror your dreams.
I remain the same until someone creates me anew,
Leaving you with the memory of your own creation.
I have no identity of my own.
I am your creation.
I don the clothes of your perception,
Living the life you have made for me.
I have no history but, what you have given me.
I mirror your dreams.
I remain the same until someone creates me anew,
Leaving you with the memory of your own creation.
A mask akes me think of people who want to portray a different image to the world other than who they really are! What do you think? What was your idea for this in terms of what it means to you?
ReplyDeleteA mask makes.....
ReplyDeleteI would go further and say that everyone wears a mask to project a different image to the world and others. Not only that, we wear multiple masks, each reflecting a different personality for each different situation. A mask for family, a mask for work, a mask for friends, etc.
ReplyDeleteAs for what my idea for this in terms of what it means to me, I would say runs somewhat along the lines of your observation on what masks represent. Upon looking at the photograph once loaded up onto my PC the name Mask immediately popped into mind.
The layers of the mask represent not only the many different masks we don but also the process of donning a mask as evidenced by the fact the face is not yet completely formed. You could almost say that the face on the mask will not fully form until there is an "other" to flesh out the face through interaction.
I think that is the reason I also chose this photograph to kick off this blog. I'm donning a mask to share my creations and how the face on the mask develops or appears to others is a result of what they see through interaction with the mask/me.
This discussion of the Mask also brings to mind a poem I wrote many many years ago called The Chameleon which reflects the essence of this photograph. Maybe I should dig it out and add it to the main section of the post.
Interesting. On a philosophical level I think we should try and show the same face in all situations but that is a longer discussion! For my part, I have worked hard at this in the belief that work, life, home, etc. should all be as 'one'. What I am saying is that we shouldn't need to wear different masks but the nature of our society demands it as it is currently structured. It doesn't have to be like that - but as I said, that is a much longer discussion!And yes, do post the poem!
ReplyDeleteI agree that we could easily get into a much longer discussion on the nature of masks. Your view that we shouldn't need to wear different masks intrigues me. What immediately comes to mind from your comment is ... transparency/blank canvas in which society and people act to fill the canvas to create the mask(s)we ultimately wear.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that we could get into a long conversation about this. I felt I had to write back and say this though -
ReplyDeleteMy point is that we shouldn't wear any masks at all and not let others make us put them on. Just to take one example - creativity. If creativity was valued by all employers and by friends we would never need to see that as a separate part of our lives. I hope this makes sense!
I think I understand what you're getting at.
ReplyDeletemasks = fragmentation
no masks = entirety
Yes and we are whole people and the fragmentation is harmful to our soul.
ReplyDelete