Infringe
Silicon face, created while being stuck at home during Covid.
This work caught the attention of Infringe, and they interviewed me (interview right here: https://www.infringe.com/matteo-ingrao/)
When asked, "The
elements in your work are so tactile and familiar, but simultaneously
somewhat grotesque. How do you use hair to create a feeling of
discomfort?", this was my answer: Hair is the final touch that brings the whole
piece of silicone to life. I don’t think it is difficult to create
discomfort as there is a universal aversion involving hair in today’s
society. In a society where there is a tendency towards – and
normalisation of – the neat and smooth, body hair evokes images of
griminess, savagery, and malodorousness. A realistic piece of silicone
skin alone brings confusion to the viewer’s mind, and real hair, once
punched in as naturally as possible, adds a disturbance in relation to
the accepted norms. I also tend to moisturise and wet the hair as it
seems to increase the disgust.
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