"I'll be your mirror"
performative installation/print 2003
Is a performative installation that explicitly refers to the novel "The Red and the Black" by the French naturalist Stendhal, first I noticed body especially on how the work inside the public succeeds emphatically back on itself shed. That such a thing can already be even confrontational, the passage proves the novel which inspired Jonas himself. Stendhal writes: "Eh, monsieur, un roman est un miroir qui se promène sur une grande route. Tantôt reflète il à vos yeux des l'Azur cieux, tantôt la fange of bourbiers de la route. Et l'homme qui porte le miroir dans sa hood sera par vous accuse d'etre immoral! Son miroir montre la fange, accusez et vous le miroir! "
Loosely translated:
"Well, sir, a novel is a mirror that makes a hike. Sometimes he reflects the blue of the heavens, then he reflects the puddles on the road. And the man with the mirror in his carrying basket is accused of being immoral. His mirror reflects the mud, and you blame the mirror. "
It is noteworthy to determine how this quote right in line with what Jonas told me about the reactions that sometimes separate them work: people who do their best to stay out of reach of the mirror, become irritated by the confrontation with their own reflection, feel uncomfortable, get the feeling that they are 'in' the work were forced and there to try to onttrekken.Die stunning effect as soon as possible not only says something about the dynamics and expressiveness of the - ultimately visually quite simple - work, but put above a treacherous game of introspection, of word and of reply and literal 'participation' in action: the mirror can catch the irritated look of a viewer, but reflects it immediately also headed back to the station - which then himself looking upset is in the eyes. That makes this work at the same time a wonderful common trick as a pertinent questions on topics such as self-esteem, participation, and the triangular relationship between creator, viewer and artwork.
Text Cin Windey
A Special thanks to Simon Vanheukelom & Karina Beumer, performer
