The Body
Since the beginning of time, addressing issues in terms of theory or self identity, has become an inevitable conviction placed upon the self. This exhibition is about the body, from the inside to the outside. The works have been carefully selected to invoke dialogue between one another about the symbolism of the body and why we choose to depict ourselves and others in such a way. Who are we looking at when we see someone? When we observe someone we immediately come up with judgments about who they are and what they represent. Pieces included in this exhibition proposal are stylized and some distorted, some to the point of barely representing a human however, I feel that those especially speak the loudest about what it means to be human.
Artworks that explore both heterosexual and non-heterosexual identities are created in order to authenticate and expand such notions. Working to de-familiarize perception, the artist evokes a new set of questions upon the viewer: Whose perception? And why? The "queering" of representation, a deconstruction of the paradox of masculinity vs femininity as they are embodied in abstract form, and the concept of limits is broken.
Dana Schultz’s Ocular invokes overall what I hope to achieve with this exhibition. Ocular depicts a person who covers their eyes with what appears to be gems however, the form and shape gives the viewer a sort of second hand embarrassment where you can feel the subject’s anxiety. Emil Nolde’s Frau T. mit roter Kette is another good example of subjecting the viewer to a feeling of unease through the use of color and asymmetrical composition. The figure drawn portrait style has a neutral expression on the right left side however, the left looks as if the face was smeared with large blotches of yellow making the subject look disfigured and invokes an almost sinister underlying character under the surface.
The very age-old controversy of identity is overlooked in the context of post war anxiety over masculinity and its relation to high culture. The following works explore how major themes in modern art are influenced through social marginalization. The general theme of this exhibition is the body and the people that are placed in those bodies. I would also like to pose the questions regarding identity held by reservation. Are we only see half of a person? Are we seeing them for who they really are? Or are we disclosed with solely the identity of whom they want us to see? The role of social identity in 20th century art can be examined through a variety of media. The hope for this exhibition is to not only spark conversation about the intentions of one piece of artwork to the next but, a range of emotions to flow through the room and create a lively environment that resonates with the audience.
