Well , the launch of the project went ahead on 28th March and although a fairly low key event, it produced some insightful and interesting conversations with audiences of all ages. I would say that people were reluctent at first to engage with the issues raised by the project but once they began talking to me, they revealed a lot about their views on being the object of a gaze. What follows is a selection of the comments made by audiences in reaction to the questions regarding the artist/model relationship and the wider issue of how it makes you feel to be the subject of a gaze.
‘What is the model – define it?’
‘Are they the same, artist and model. Known to each other.’
‘The artist and the model: who influences who?’
‘How can the spectator become involved? Maybe they can change the image by becoming part of it.’
‘Perhaps the artist, model and spectator become one.’
‘I would be interested in how the model could perhaps have a sense of authorship – how much the artist has responsibility as the image maker.’
‘Thinking about how I look at myself (perceive myself) is something that can annoy me as I often don’t want to think about it’
‘I much rather enjoy looking at others (secret voyeur) whether it be on the street, passing car drivers or through train windows. I adore people watching and could do it full-time. I don’t enjoy seeing myself though’
‘Its nice to be looked at. There are positive and negative ways. Critical analysis of any aspect of ourselves can make us feel ugly or inferior while presenting us in a soft focus makes us feel attractive and happy. As an extrovert I enjoy focus, but even I have limits.’
‘Is there a conflict between how the model wishes himself/herself to appear and how the artist wants the model to appear? It is like a master/slave relationship? Or master/servant…or is it a co-operative enterprise?’
‘To be the subject of someone’s gaze is puzzling, intriguing and possibly interesting. What do they make of what they see…I ask myself? Can I alter that?’
‘‘Most people would only be able to contribute to this subject from the point of view of being a spectator. How many people can say they have been a model?’
‘There needs to be chemistry not attraction between artist and model, but a connection that means the artist can portray the person, personality and soul of the model.’
‘Being the subject of a gaze always makes me uncomfortable. Being the centre of attention continues to be a learning curve no matter what platform or context. In a society where it is polite to be humble, how do we balance being comfortable being the subject of a gaze?’
