Masking

by Anonymous

The current Warhol: Fabricated exhibition at the Abroms-Engel Instutitue for the Visual Arts is an extraordinarily well-executed example of the type of artwork that I think is lacking in the Birmingham area. There is an incredible amount of contemporary works and art collectors in this city and I believe AEIVA has done a masterful job of coordinating a show that has significant appeal. Warhol’s The Mask is a superb example of his silkscreen technique, as well as a true reflection of Warhol’s interest in the media, icons, and nostalgia. In The Mask, Mick Jagger is shown with a black mask printed over his eyes. This cover, intriguing on a conceptual level, becomes more translucent when the viewer moves from the front of the image to either the left or the right making the eyes visible to the viewer. I believe this changes the viewer’s perspective of the mask itself. What does the mask’s translucency say about the perception of Jagger or viewers themselves? It is quite possible that this is a simple by-product of the silkscreen technique; however, it is interesting to consider whether the mask is blocking Jagger’s vision. Or, is the viewer’s ability to see into the life of a true musical icon being blocked? In context with Warhol’s other well-known works, including the Marilyns, I believe Warhol’s intent is to confront the spectator with a barrier—blocking fame from the general public with a well understood and recognizable mask—something that we all do to protect or disguise ourselves from one another, even the famous.