Recently, our class went to the Pace Galleries, and I saw the coolest thing ever. The name of this piece of art is Football Face, by Irving Penn, and I thought this picture was attempting to degrade the notion of women putting on make-up. Every time I glance back at the photograph, I think about all the reasons women use cosmetics. Usually, the purpose behind using make-up is to cover up any unwanted marks or blemishes on the face. Perhaps this is a wrong-doing according to Penn, and maybe people should learn to appreciate and take note of what sets them apart from others. Here’s the problem: when people try to meet others, the first thing they’ll look at is each others faces. Therefore, if the face is not looking its best, its a problem.

People are so concerned about the way they look; its evident every time you open up the T.V. Loads of commercials pop-up about eyeliner, lipsticks, mascara, acne treatments, and much more. However, the issue that Penn was trying to point out is that when we use these products, its more or less us creating a mask on the face. Is that the way we are to meet each other, by throwing on a mask before we walk up to them? It happens so quickly and so often that not many of us realize it, but it is true. Women put on all types of skin products, and many try to alter their skin pigmentation. For example, women of darker complexions use facial creams with bleach to lighten their facial color, and others of pale complexions tan their skin to get darker. The problem is that women change themselves to become something that they’re not in order to please the public. At that point, they are deceiving the public.

So what happens when all that make-up comes off? The same thing that happens when  a person’s mask comes off: pure embarrassment. The meaning behind this photograph is extremely intense, and it might just be offending as well. Nonetheless, its inevitable: make-up doesn’t improve the way a person looks. It just makes the person look worse after it comes off.

One of the first pieces of art that anyone would see walking into the Rox Gallery was during the Delusions exhibition was one by the artist Lauren Xandra. Being displayed adjacent to the stairs near the front on the gallery the image immediately caught my eye for its vibrant contrasting colors and unique design. It was different from many other works of art that I have seen and while being extremely neat and clean, it also seemed to be in disarray. So many distinct designs and patterns were all being displayed within the constraint of a single frame. A combination of sleek lines, geometric shapes, and wavy patterns to name a few, were all composing this truly delusional work of art. It was difficult to understand what I was looking at originally, however I could see the effort that went into creating it. White, black, and gold were the three colors that were used to make this work however the arrangement and careful positioning, having the light touch each color made it seem as if there was so much more happening.

This I would soon realize was the beauty of the work in itself. While making it both sleek and precise and still achieving the delusion of making it seem in a state of disorder, a possibility arose within my mind. Was this image in itself a representation of the order that we have held in society, yet continue to perceive as being overwhelming? For example one could describe the exact activities a person would most likely go through on an average day as simply waking up, attending school or work, eating, and returning home and completing any errands or work; basically following a schedule. These although when described like this make the average day seem unassuming and rather orderly would justly be proven wrong when they themselves would experience them. When put together these straightforward tasks become a mixture of confusion and distress. Although being familiar with all the tasks individually much in the same way we are familiar with the distinct colors and patterns, together they are responsible for the disorientation we at times experience.

Strange how something so abstract has so many different means of interpretation. The title of Delusion for the gallery was truly a match in my eyes.

Besides our conversation in class about John Berger’s “Ways of Seeing,” Kara will join us to discuss your art movement and artist interview multimedia assignments in class tomorrow.

This week the College has the honor of hosting Tibetan Monks from the Namcholing Monastery in South India.  Led by Khenchen Rinpoche, the artist-monks will be making a Tibetan sand mandala. If you don’t know anything about sand mandalas, you can click this link for an introduction.

If you are interested in Bhuddhism or in Tibetan art, this is a rich opportunity for exploration.  Master Khenchen Rinpoche will be available for interviews on October 8, from 2-3PM  (VC 1-107).

The exhibition  is open from 9AM-6PM today and tomorrow.  It also includes a photo exhibition, “Voices of Tibet” by Nyra Lang.