Va . The art of the alter-ego | am reminded of the classic: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The story of a man swallowing fate in the face of despair.A man who unleashes his alter ego only to dis- cover too late that he has unleashed a monster. It’s both campy horror and a brilliant critique of social prejudice. To me this is a tale that is more than a warning against the dangers of science, it’s a metaphor for the desire to find freedom through physical transformation. Adopting an alter ego is not a fantasy relegated to the pages of horror fiction. History reveals rituals, masks, and costumes constructed to turn mere mortals into monsters or gods.Adornment is used as a catalyst for the individual to pretend - indeed, in some circum- stances - to become, a surreal or supernatural character. This kind of role-playing is so engrained in the human experience that the adoption of an alternative identity has become an accepted method for allowing behavioral distortions to surface in general society. Acting out in the guise of fantasy becomes an antidote to conformism. So, the Drag Queen finds free- dom to exhibit his sexual self through the use of make- up and short skirts. As the Artist is given the opportuni- ty to explore gender, identity, and social issues from a new perspective. Indeed, for some as a matter of neces- sity, the alter-ego allows hidden or suppressed parts of his or her personality to come forward. Just as Dr. Jekyll struggled; not to keep Mr. Hyde inside himself, but to let him out. There is something undeniable about the desire to experience a different identity . How would it feel to be a diva, or an angel, or a monster? The imagination makes it possible - and only fear sets the limits. Perhaps that is why.| am fascinated by Dr. Jekyll - he did not let his fear stop him from taking a step he knew he could not take back: namely, the realization of his alter-ego. -Cristina King (with assistance from Alexander Duff) Photograph by Alexander Duff The Suicide of Laura C. is a contemporary noir style comedy. Laura C., femme fatale incarnate, encounters her alter ego Clair, the brainy academic. Laura grapples with the Chris Jones - Untitled, Digital photographs. 1998. This started off as the "50 years" project in Digital Photo One, but | think it could evolve into a drawn-out work in-progress. It would be interesting to see an image made.in 2049 comparing this prediction to my real face. It might also be interesting to start with a self-portrait at age 77, and morph it according to my memory of how | looked when | was 27. Unlimited narcissistic permutations, | guess. - Chris Jones Paul Murray - Drag I, One of a series of 5 drag paintings. 4x 4 oil painting with feathers and sequins. | think Rupalul said it best; "You’re born naked and everything you put on after that is drag." Some have taken drag and made it art, exciting and entertaining. | want to try and capture in my paintings, drawings, and photographs a bit of the glamour and camp that drag queens se - Paul Murray Nancy Kivisto - My animal Nature, mixed media | admire the cougar’s quiet independent nature, it’s strength and courage. Inspired by my teacher Sam Carter and the Native culture who believe this mountain cat brings the power of balanced leadership to the people. - Nancy Kivisto integration these two opposing identities while striving to uphold an amorous but quickly failing relationship with her increasingly bewildered lover, Johnny. - Laura C.: Marlene Madison Plimley - Johnny: Jamie Hutchinson —ehexha— ee ee ee r The art of the alter-ego | am reminded of the classic: Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde.The story of a man swallowing fate in the face of ‘despair. man who unleashes his alter ego only to dis- ‘cover too late that he has unleashed a monster. t's both ‘campy horror and a brillan critique of social prejudice. “To me this is a tale that is more than a warning ‘against the dangers of science, its a metaphor for the desire to find freedom through physical transformation, ‘Adopting an alter ego is not a fantasy relegated to the pages of horror fiction. History reveals ritual, masks, and costumes constructed to turn mere mortals into monsters or gods.Adornment is used as a catalyst for the individual to pretend - indeed, in some circum- stances - to become, a surreal or supernatural character. This kind of role-playing is so engrained in the human ‘experience that the adoption of an alternative identity hhas become an accepted method for allowing behavioral distortions to surface in general society. ‘Acting out in the guise of fantasy becomes an, antidote to conformism. So, the Drag Queen finds free- ‘dom to exhibit is sexual self through the use of make- up and short skies. As the Artist is given the opportuni- 1 to explore gender, identity, and social issues from a new perspective. Indeed, for some as a matter of neces- sity, the alter-ego allows hidden or suppressed parts of his or her personality to come forward. Just as Dr. Jekyll struggled: not to keep Mr. Hyde inside himself, but to let him out ‘There is something undeniable about the desire to experience a different identity . How would it feel to be a diva, or an angel, or a monster? The imagination ‘makes it possible - and only fear sets the limits. Perhaps thac is why | am fascinated by Dr. Jekyll - he did not let his fear stop him from taking a step he knew he could rot take back: namely, the realization of his alter-ego. Cristina King (with assistance from Alexander Duff) ‘ing rebtonsip wit her inresingy bewldered love Johnny. Laura C: Marlene Madison Piley “ohne Jamie Hutchison {Gore nce Unit, sn psp 1998 This started off asthe "$0 years" projet n Digi Photo One. but think it ould evolve ino drawn-out work in ropes would be ineresng to se a mage mae 2089 comparing hs proieson fo my rel ie. ke might also be interesting co sare wath aseltportra ac age 77nd Frph according to my memory of how looked when twas 27. 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