I found some big photographs
of faces in a magazine and was intrigued by their size. The 'nearness' made me feel slightly uncomfortable.
I tore them up to see what the effect would be if I rearranged the pieces. Would
it make a difference?
On a base of
gesso with watercolour I went to work with the two torn-up girlies. I puzzled with eyes, noses and mouths. Amazing what an extra
millimetre upwards or sideways would do to the facial expression! I glued down the pieces and added some more colour. Yet, they kept
bothering me and musing about the impact of body language, especially eye contact, I started
writing around them:
“Isn’t it miraculous how eyes attract our attention? We
check each other’s expression with an inborn mechanism to find out if we’re safe. Do
we have to run, fight or lay low (like a
puppy, paws in the air and soft belly upwards... “Look, I’m only little and
completely harmless, so don’t hurt me. I surrender. You’re boss...”?
With our eyes we signal: I see you coming towards me ,
but I promise I won’t touch you. I will avert my eyes when your are near and
pass you by on the right... Or in a crowded
train when we are ‘too close for contact’ : My body touches yours but
please don’t take advantage. I shall not make eye-contact, but look down to keep
myself hidden and not embarrass you.”
I had started
writing without a plan, just jotting down
what came to mind. I know that this way of writing may tell you a lot about yourself.
At least it shed light upon
my uneasiness... these faces were too close for comfort!
So... when
you meet me by chance: please keep a distance J
