"Deception multiplies possibilities and brings into existence the danger of the unexpected. Frankenstein (Shelley, 1831) and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Stevenson, 1886) use the formulation of the double. These tales suggest the second identity is a portent of unanticipated horror. The darker second self demonstrates how easily the other persona can slide into a more frightening guise. The twin and the double reinforce a belief in a deep-seated anxiety that appearances can lie, that the surface reality can fall away and reveal a more dreadful universe."
-quote from The Art of Self Invention Chapter 1 by Joanne Finkelstein
I agree that there is a two sides or multiple sides to the identity (not to associate with multiple personality disorder). Its more about how we act differently depending on the situation, environment, time, people around us, and other factor. Some may take up a different personality or role entirely to fit better in a setting to get what is needed or wanted. This may be caused by desire or survival instinct.
-quote from The Art of Self Invention Chapter 1 by Joanne Finkelstein
Many of us tell lies whether small or big. It happens in daily conversations when describing how the day went one may omit some parts. Lies are said either out of consideration or just because there would be a lack of understanding. Lies can be used to gain something whether material, pysical, emotional and so on. Since we are also creatures trying to survive and get what we want then we use deceitful camouflage.
Written Response
There is a museum located in New Jersey City University within the visual art building where artists can exhibit their research and artwork. The exhibition featured there is called BURN:Origins & Resistance and all the artworks showcased are by Antoinette Ellis-Williams. Dr. Ellis-Williams wants to emphasize the exploration of the historical, sociopolitical, economic and cultural contexts in which black women suffer “Burn” all around the world. It's a call to attention to the suffering the black female population have had to withstand for generations. This burn that the artist speaks about is the hardships black women experience unemployment, appropriation, dismissal, isolation, gentrification, cooptation, physical and sexual abuse, exploitation and so on. However, the artist also wants the exhibition to be a place where the viewers delve into individual memories of pain and recovery through a personal engagement with their work. Dr. Ellis-Williams also wants the viewer to think on themes of identity, power, race, gender and social justice.
The first piece that speaks about identity and how identities can intertwine is featured in the image below. The cluster of strings are weaved together at the start but let loose further down. In the background, names of influential women are in bold black letters against a white wall. Other words are also included like ‘sexuality’,’ refuse to stay quiet’, ‘unapologetic’ and even different foods. The whole piece makes the viewer realize how influential black people were in society. They were the ones who started weaving the strings of identity, power, social justice and so much more. This work reminds me of a mother knitting with care and attention which tells me that because of black females nurturing that we are able to live in such a time of seeking truth, freedom, identity and knowledge. Another artist who also explores similar themes is Carrie Mae Weems. There was an article titled “Revisiting Carrie Mae Weems’s Landmark Kitchen Table Series' ' by Jacqui Palumbo that described the artist's thoughts about her series, the impact it had in photography and descriptions of her work. In the passage the writer Palumbo stated "Weems’s black-and-white photographs are like mirrors, each reflecting a collective experience: how selfhood shifts through passage of time; the sudden distance between people, both passable and impassable; the roles that women accumulate and oscillate between; how life emanates from the small space we occupy in the world." Both Dr. Ellis-William and Weems wanted to have the viewer place themselves in the art where they could have a unique experience.
The second piece By Dr. Ellis-Williams is called Black Goddess with Golden Lips. This work was made digitally by collaging images of a long thin section of the face of a black female and what seems like teeth in the background. There were a handful of works in the museum that portrayed black women which are rarely seen in big exhibitions. The lack of portrayal of the black female and black population in the art world is disheartening. This piece was attention grabbing because of the strong contrast between the female and the background. It tells the viewer to look and ponder on the female but not in a way of sexualization or gazing. It is to experience with females in the piece a feeling of loss of identity and maybe even the loss of humanity because of the cruel environment we live in. Most of us hope and can see that we are progressive and inclusive but behind it all there is still much hatred and ignorance toward people of color, especially females. Dr. Ellis-Williams' work prompted a flashback to another artist’s work, whose name is Mickalene Thomas. There was an article called “The Photographed, Collaged, and Painted Muses of Mickalene Thomas'' written by Carey Dunne which explained the impact Thomas had on the art world through photography, the emphasis on the black female and discussed her work. Dunne was able to get a statement from the artist that stated “By selecting women of color, I am quite literally raising their visibility and inserting their presence into the conversation. By portraying real women with their own unique history, beauty and background, I’m working to diversify the representations of black women in art.” Thomas photographed many black females posing dominantly in colorful backgrounds with patterned clothing that caught the eye. It is important to the artists, Dr. Ellis-William and Thomas that black women are represented and brought attention whether about their struggle or their fashion.
There was another artist that explored identity and their role as a woman of color. A Cuban artist, Ana Mendieta, had arrived in the United States at a young age which emotionally affected her. In an article, Overlooked No More: Ana Mendieta, a Cuban Artist Who Pushed Boundaries by Monica Castillo, the writer describes the artist's performance art and the thought process of Mendieta. There is a line in the articles that states, “She urged viewers to disregard their gender, race or other defining societal factors and instead connect with the humanity they share with others.” This is an idealized vision of the world which can only be hoped but never truly occurs because this diversified population needs to accept differences instead of ignoring and belittling them. The real issue which the artist Mendieta mentions are social factors which place us on shelves and divide us. There needs to be a conversation because most of the population of color are deeply traumatized and hurt. There is much appreciation for Dr. Ellis-William who gave the viewers a place to reflect and heal.
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