Skin

07Jun07

I am currently doing research on surfaces- specifically skin, and all the symbolic, imaginary, and real relationships with skin. I will eventually be writing something, but for now, reading a lot. I just came across this and found it very exciting: “In the development of the embryo in vertebrates, the ectoderm gives rise to both the skin and the cortex, so that the skin is in a sense the surface of the brain.”

So, the idea of surface designating inside and out is ludacris–we are all surface. This contrast sharply with the traditional view that somewhere deep inside of us ( a physically and visually hidden space) we shelter our spirit/ true self/ soul. If your skin is your soul, then tattooing and piercing look entirely differently- penetrating the soul.

I’ll be looking at information on Grammatica and pop-up books next. I think I can draw enough together with early dissection imagery to create a solid inquiry into skin and breaking surfaces- removing skin- opening up the body to reveal the inside. 

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