The aim of this Conformist Trends was to create a visual trend whereby members are connected and accepted by adopting a specific attribute. To this end, we circulated flyers throughout college advertising free head shaving, in the hope that as more people participated, a trend would begin to form. Once each participant’s head had been shaved, portraits were taken looking downwards. We then retained their shorn hair to be placed on the floor underneath each photograph. This was intended to demonstrate that on the path to conformism there is a risk of leaving behind what really defines one as an individual.
I like this concept but it also makes me think of something else. I had a friend who went on a pilgrimage throughout India and near the end she shaved her head. It was part of releasing her identity and the attachment to it on her voyage to nirvana. So it’s cool to see something like this. Shaving your head can be a metaphor for losing your identity on your way to conformity, but it can also be a RELEASE of identity on your way to unattachment.
Nov 14th, 2008 / 11:54 pm
just looking at the image I’m not sure that I feel the message that they are trying to send. The concept however is beautiful. I value the explanation more than the image.
@kersy
You make a wonderful point. It’s important to remember that there is always more than one side to every coin. In the end I think what we most need to avoid are labels.
“If you label me, you negate me.”
– Soren K.
BTW, I quoted you on my blog :)
Nov 21st, 2008 / 10:24 pm