2006
12 pieces (6 pair) 84” x 164” overall
Six poly-spandex mesh sleeves in six flesh tones over plexi-mirror on wood, six revealed plexi-mirror on wood sections, acrylic, clear gel medium.
Mimesis
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Identity
Mimesis
“Mimesis” (2006) derives its title from the Greek term for art’s capacity to mirror or replicate life’s realism. This installation presents six pairs of vertical modules, scaled precisely to the minute lanes generated for genetic studies via electron microscopy. Each module is surfaced with a spectrum of flesh tones and features an inset plexi mirror, which is subsequently overlaid with clear gel medium. This medium is applied in a single, sweeping downward stroke, producing a visibly distorted, painterly reflection.
The work utilizes poly-spandex mesh sleeves, dyed in six distinct bodily flesh tones—one single color assigned to a piece within each pair. Installed leaning against the wall, similar to domestic mirrors, the twelve pieces establish an alternating rhythm of “open mirror” and “filtered mirror.” The sequence of flesh tones darkens progressively from right to left, creating a directional visual current.
While the open mirrored sections warp the viewer’s image, the porous fabric of the “filtered” sections obscures direct reflection, allowing only the perception of shadowy forms and the refraction of light behind the textile. Moving beyond the singular genome shape that marked the earlier work “Transference,” “Mimesis” eliminates isolated mark-making, positioning the entirety of each sculptural form as a unified, sweeping gesture.
Collections:
Collection of 21c Museum Hotel