Artist Michael Reeder Explores Identity And Sense Of Self
I got inspiration from this piece of artwork. I think masks have become a ubiquitous symbol of safety and protection. However, they can also be seen as a way to express one's personality and identity. I believe that by using masks as a canvas for personal expression, we can create a unique and individualistic statement about ourselves.
For me, creating a mask is not just about covering my face, but about revealing my true self. I wanted to use different materials, colors, and patterns to represent my personality and emotions in a tangible way. By dividing the mask into two sides, I was able to showcase the different aspects of my personality.
On the left side, I wanted to express my more lighthearted and carefree side. By using bright colors and lightweight materials such as super-light clay, I was able to create a mask that conveys a sense of relaxation and openness. The different shapes and colors that I connected in a stacked manner were meant to symbolize my experiences and emotions that have shaped who I am today.
On the right side, I wanted to showcase my more serious and protective side. Using crumpled aluminum foil as the material allowed me to convey the idea of toughness and resilience. This side of the mask represented a protective shell that I've set up for myself, shielding me from the outside world.
Together, the left and right sides of the mask represent the two different aspects of myself that form the complete me. Through this artistic expression, I hope to inspire others to use masks as a medium for personal expression and to embrace their true selves
The relationship between fashion and identity is complex and multifaceted, and is often intertwined with issues of gender, race, and class. After watching Paris is Burning and reading The Fashioned Body, it is clear that fashion is not just about clothing and appearance, but also about the way we express ourselves and navigate the world.
In Paris is Burning, we see how fashion is used as a form of self-expression and empowerment by the LGBTQ+ community of color in New York City in the 1980s. The ballroom culture is a space where individuals can create and showcase their own unique identities through fashion, dance, and performance. The ballroom scene is a subculture that is rooted in marginalized communities, and fashion is a tool for resistance and self-affirmation. The drag queens and other performers in the film used fashion to create their own unique personas and to express themselves in a way that was true to who they were. They used fashion to challenge traditional gender norms and to create a space where they could be themselves without fear of judgment. Through fashion, they were able to construct a new and empowering identity that allowed them to feel seen and valued.
The movie also exposed how fashion can be used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and prejudices. The performers often had to contend with racial and gender-based discrimination, and their use of fashion was a way to push back against these harmful stereotypes. But at the same time, the documentary also showed how these same stereotypes were reinforced by the fashion industry itself, particularly in the way that it perpetuated narrow beauty standards and catered predominantly to white, wealthy consumers.
The Fashioned Body delves deeper into the relationship between fashion and identity, and how fashion is used to construct and perform gender, race, and class. I learned about how fashion can be a tool for constructing and expressing identity, but also how it can be used to reinforce existing power dynamics. The authors showed how fashion has been used historically to enforce gender roles, particularly through the use of restrictive clothing that constrained women's movements and prevented them from engaging in certain activities. The readings also touched on the way that fashion is used to construct and reinforce racial and class-based hierarchies, particularly in the way that it has historically catered to the wealthy and the elite.