ANOTHER DISCOVERY
When I went to the M.A.M. this morning with a very close friend, we went
to see the legacy of some 60 paintings of De Chirico given by the
foundation to the Modern Art Museum. I had already seen it but wanted to
share it with Pierre who said he «loved» this artist. Due to cold and
freezing conditions some of the major rooms had been closed.
Great disappointment and we prepared to leave. But I needed one of those precautionary pees before going out in -5° and in one of the lower rooms
discovered an installation which bowled me over. I called Pierre at once.
Eko Nugroho is an Indonesian artist and this installation is called «Hybrid Witness». At once I found it politically involved. A statement against the burqa or the hijab and probably it could be read that way.
However, to quote the press article :-
«The multiplicity of identities lies at the core of his work. Relationships depend on the image of ourselves we show to people. Everyone of us has multiple facets whether one is at work, with the family, with friends, during daytime or nighttime. Pairs of eyes, masks and fantastic costumes tell us about the way we connect to territory (chimneys, mountains,) nature (animals, plants, chimaeras) and other people.»
I can only be in agreement with such a statement. Knowing how well I react differently to different people. Even my family. When my mother died I was astounded how many people she was in the eyes of her friends and her professional contacts. Perhaps I am the same. And yet my relationship with the artist's work was solely that of fear. Who was behind the scarf? Were the eyes afraid and what of ? What would be body reveal? A man? A woman?
I have always been «put off» by so called religious statements. Something that disguised the body and turns it into what for me it should not be. In an Islamic country this is acceptable - perhaps - For many years I visited Indonesia regularly and saw some of the most beautiful women change in their clothing habits. As some had become friends, I discussed this with them - openly - but I still couldn’t go along with their point of view. I respected it.
This exhibition reinforced my feelings of discomfort in front of the «hidden» face or body. So strong and yet I saw visitors smiling, laughing at the videos or the installations and collage. I couldn’t.
Great disappointment and we prepared to leave. But I needed one of those precautionary pees before going out in -5° and in one of the lower rooms
discovered an installation which bowled me over. I called Pierre at once.
Eko Nugroho is an Indonesian artist and this installation is called «Hybrid Witness». At once I found it politically involved. A statement against the burqa or the hijab and probably it could be read that way.
However, to quote the press article :-
«The multiplicity of identities lies at the core of his work. Relationships depend on the image of ourselves we show to people. Everyone of us has multiple facets whether one is at work, with the family, with friends, during daytime or nighttime. Pairs of eyes, masks and fantastic costumes tell us about the way we connect to territory (chimneys, mountains,) nature (animals, plants, chimaeras) and other people.»
I can only be in agreement with such a statement. Knowing how well I react differently to different people. Even my family. When my mother died I was astounded how many people she was in the eyes of her friends and her professional contacts. Perhaps I am the same. And yet my relationship with the artist's work was solely that of fear. Who was behind the scarf? Were the eyes afraid and what of ? What would be body reveal? A man? A woman?
I have always been «put off» by so called religious statements. Something that disguised the body and turns it into what for me it should not be. In an Islamic country this is acceptable - perhaps - For many years I visited Indonesia regularly and saw some of the most beautiful women change in their clothing habits. As some had become friends, I discussed this with them - openly - but I still couldn’t go along with their point of view. I respected it.
This exhibition reinforced my feelings of discomfort in front of the «hidden» face or body. So strong and yet I saw visitors smiling, laughing at the videos or the installations and collage. I couldn’t.
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