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Reflected Reality

2018 Competition entry

Danio Janeke

Details:
Signed
Printing ink on paper (Lino)
71 cm x 55 cm

Description:

Within the artwork the grotesque figure and the human body are both combined and exploited as mediators, bringing about a violent clash of opposites, reflecting the uncertain nature of life. The sensitive human body and the exploration of identity and emotion are used as a creative form of language to activate embodiment through the interpretation by the viewer.

The juxtaposition of diverse unreal objects and figures creates ambiguity within the artwork. The viewer is triggered, through the random, but also similar images that is combined within the composition, to question the artwork and furthermore stimulate embodiment.

The juxtapose of random eerie images can be interpreted to express either weakness or power, reality or conflicting emotions and doubt or sadness: two ‘shy’ grotesque figures without faces or genitals that reflect characters without identity or sexuality. A fragile feminine dreamlike figure perches on a ‘throne’, and cherishes a baby like character (protecting what is still precious), while evil or death is lurking all around. Evil or death is represented as a large dark, hooded and masked figure gazing over the composition. And lastly one can see the well-known plague-masked figures that reflect an unstable humanity in history, but is still relevant in today’s life.

It is evident that the human body is not just a historic vehicle – it symbolises the human condition and life in a sensible way. The artistic process of manipulation, transformation and representation of the body as art material, engenders meaning.  By representing the human body as mode of communication and as a reflection of identity, viewers are aided to understand human values, social experiences and the personal experience of their own bodies.

The human body and the grotesque figure stand as perceivers, performers, protectors and successful mediators which is layered with content within conceptual art. They together mirror a site of total extremities, and can be described as glorious, sacrificed, gentle, dramatic, tragic, political, social, and mystical.