Panda Head

Amongst the Process boxes, I saw something that I felt deserved special recognition. This something was Panda Head, by Paul Abacus. The head was modeled after Dr. Hieronymous Yang, a giant panda with whom the artist was familiar. It was previously used as part of a matching costume which was used to promote Filament this week. However, the functionality of the piece is not all that attracted me, but also the airs in which it was presented.

I feel that too often artists push themselves or are self-deluded into attaching a deep meaning into their work. Although some or many honestly and rightly feel a strong sense of purpose, the rest of their colleagues must struggle to keep up and overextend themselves. This unfortunately leads to a public perception of pretentiousness or elitism, uninteresting to the everyman. It is therefore refreshing when an artist takes themselves lightly and work practically.

"It's a panda head." The opening sentence of the artist's statement immediately levels the attitude toward the piece. It becomes obvious that the head was made to honor his animal friend, and has since been taking a fun an participatory role in the festival, an attitude that may not be conveyed or shared by the glass boxes containing the other artworks in the gallery. The mood is so playful that if a prankster were to steal the head, the artist states that it "would be unsurprising, really."

The fact that the head is even on display is notable. It almost takes a Ready-Made position. The head was a part of a tool; it was half of an inelegant costume. On its own, it is not a fanciful piece, but by displaying it as artwork sends a message. Look at me. See what I do. Observe the time and effort I put into my projects. It is not necessarily the end result that is art, and maybe not even the process, but the emotion that goes into loving your job. If that love is enough to be art, than any of us can be performance artists in our daily lives, and all of us should, at least for ourselves.