Over the course of my last semester at Emerson, I explored the meaning of masks, and why a person might wear one. Maybe for security, or to hide yourself. Maybe you wear one to be something you’re not. Or maybe, the mask is your true self.
Ralph Eugene Meatyard was one of the largest influences for me during this project and for him, he did not like the idea that a photograph could reveal such a thing as a real person; there are only masks, one after another. Another quote from The Batman also served as inspiration. During the movie, the Riddler told Batman that “[his] mask allowed [him] to be [himself] completely, [with] no shame”.
For my project, the mask allows a person to be whoever they want. I wanted to explore all of these ideas and as it turned out, the mask became a sort of character. This character represents what the mask can allow you to be. You can be comfortable with yourself, you can be true to yourself, and it can show you who you really are. We don’t have to be scared or ashamed of our masks, they’re a part of us.
*This project ended with a gallery showing at Emerson College, here are the digital images*
Titles in order of appearance: (1)True Self, (2) Park Bench, (3) I Will Never Leave You!, (4) Everyone's Different, Everyone's the Same, (5) Superhero, (6) Dance Party, (7) Flowering, (8) Stage Fright, (9) Elevate Yourself, (10) How Dare You!, (11) Prayer, (12) Reflections, (13) Reach For the Stars, (14) Flower Savior, (15) Multiple Me's
