Starting this project, I thought about the virtual world. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, I sit alone at my studio, work like an ox, but no one sees my works live. In this state, social networks have become an outlet for me. I can show my ideas, works, and get a quick reaction from the live audience at these places.
Secondly, I had my first group virtual exhibition.
Such a rapid switch to the virtual world has become something special for me.
I study online, do sports on YouTube videos, attend exhibitions, listen to operas on the Internet, meet my mom on Skype, work with a psychologist in Zoom, communicate with viewers on Facebook and Instagram, and participate in discussions on Clubhouse.
This world has become more real for me than anything else.
This is where no one can explain where it is, but everyone believes in it and uses it.
Here I want to draw a parallel with religion.
After all, no one has seen God, but we have built places to meet with him - churches, temples, mosques ... Created traditions and canons. So the virtual world, where it is located is not clear, but everyone has access through a telephone or computer as access to God through a temple.
And one more parallel with the theatre.
In this virtual world, we play roles. I am not really me. Before I write anything, I build a story, shoot a video or a photograph. Design the stage and write a script. I think twice before starting something. This is a great game, such a parody of real life. “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players”
But now we have another scene - the virtual world. It is better or worse - this is how you look. Or depending on who will judge.
Artist Andy Kassier, for example, created a new story about his new personality and presents it on Instagram. And Galleries present his Instagram as a new experience ;).
Also, there is no tactility in the virtual world, but I am convinced we can still convey our state and communicate on an emotional level.
This is where the sketches of future work or a series of works were born.
Performance.
Once I visited a Group workshop for BA Fine Art students with artist Rachel MacManus “Performative Actions in a Pandemic World”. We had an interesting exercise. We needed to present/perform “An object with some personal resonance. Something that a family member or friend gave to you”. For me, my own presentation became a shock. I wouldn’t imagine that I would cry! But I did. And the person who was on the opposite side of the Zoom screen was shocked as well. She got my inner state and feelings about the subject.
So I want to repeat it on the Instagram channel. And see what happens?
Another idea is - “The Artist is live”. I want to see how the performance of Marina Abramovic “The artist is present” would look today.
Virtual space can be viewed as a new tool, medium for the artist.
So, starting to work and looking for ideas on using my own body as a canvas, I decided to use masks for Instagram and Facebook.
To do this, I had to master a new program from scratch Spark Ar for creating masks.
I started with simple works, where I transferred my already finished paintings into the space of the final viewer.
The viewer could not only virtually hang my work on his wall, but also he can go live or make a video on the background of my work.
My first reaction was a delight. And when my friends started sending me photos of their interior and my work, I really wanted to cry.
On the one hand, this can be seen as commercial criticism. It is like Richard Serra - Instagram (TV) delivers viewers.
On the other hand, I have a chance, that once someone will see my painting and enjoy it at least in the virtual world. Buy the way the audience actually interacts with my work.
Since the next focus was on the hands, I chose my interrupted selfie series. The focus was on a new culture of selfies and our public representation.
I decided to continue this research in such a non-standard way. Move my deformed hands (from frequent phone use) into the real virtual world.
I transferred the drawn hands from the paintings to the mask for social networks (Facebook and Instagram).
These mask-paintings are in real-time, and people in their environment becoming a canvas for painting.
Try it here from your smartphone: https://www.instagram.com/wittemannmarina/
While making a selfie one sees himself as if in a mirror. A loop effect of a selfie, juxtaposition for reflection.
It is a real live gallery/experience/artwork which communicates directly with the viewer.