Confess All On Video. Don’t Worry You Will Be in Disguise. Intrigued?
This was one of Wearing's projects that were created in 1994. It involved members of the public wearing masks and confessing things that they had done to a camera for a video that was later created. Also, if the person wanted to, they could make a false confession and completely get away with it because a mask covered their identity. I really like this idea because it isn't a typical Photography piece. Normally, Photographers will produce just images for a piece, but the fact Wearing has created a documentary almost is quite unique and interesting. I also really like the concept of this project, it is demonstrating that people hide their true feelings and don’t always feel confident about them, and I think this idea defines the subject 'Beneath the Surface' very well. The idea is also very simple, but at the same time quite hard hitting and deep; I personally really like work like this. Wearing used different masks as well, which adds Diversity to the piece, and makes it even better for me.
Gillian Wearing is an English Conceptual Artist who mainly focuses on capturing meaningful shots for her work. One of Wearing’s most iconic collections was took during the 1980's and involved members of the public holding up pieces of paper with messages on them. She said about this shoot that ' I can understand that sort of holding on to things—it’s kind of part of British society to hold things in. I always think of Britain as being a place where you’re meant to keep your secrets—you should never tell your neighbour’s or tell anyone. Things are changing now, because the culture’s changed and the Internet has brought people out. We have Facebook and Twitter where people tell you small details of their life'. Wearing has also created films, sculptures and masks in order to make her work stand out and have clear meanings. She also won the Turner Prize in 1997 and was was elected as lifetime member of the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 2007. I personally feel that Gillian Wearing and me are quite similar on the idea front, as I try to make my work as meaningful as possible like does Wearing. I really like how simple but over-powering her work is and I think she is a good example to upcoming artists these days. Wearing received an OBE in 2011 because of the services to Art she has provided over the years.
Signs That Say What You Want Them To Say, Not Signs That Say What Someone Else Wants Them To Say
Like the mask piece I have just spoken about, I feel that this project also defines 'Beneath the Surface' very well. With this piece however, the people featured are not covered up with masks, and you can clearly see who they are; which makes it more interesting. This involved Wearing going up to members of the public in a street and having them hold up pieces of paper with words on that the person had written. They could have written anything, how they felt, advice to someone, or who they loved. I think the example I have chosen is a good one, because the Police Man has written 'Help' on his piece of paper, but he is smiling into the camera. Back to the whole 'Beneath the Surface' idea, this proves that people never feel how they look, and can hide their true feelings with a simple smile. Almost like wearing a mask, so I feel that this concept is more real. Like Wearing’s other work, I really like this project as I find it quite simple but effective, I also like how you can see a busy background, which could represent how people fail to see others suffering because they are too caught up with their own business.