For my first mold-making project, I have chosen to work with a mannequin head. A mannequin is an artificial figure, usually resembling a human, used by artists, tailors, or window-dressers to fit and display clothing. As I looked at the mannequin head, I thought about how it is carved with a so-called perfect face ratio. Still, after all, it is just a soulless doll that looks like any other figures used to display clothing and accessories. With that idea in mind, I suppose my chosen object symbolizes humans under standardization. Just like the production of mannequins in uniformity, humans are shaped by the invisible hand of prejudices and customs to fit into a perfect mold throughout the circle of life. Society surrounds us with the same standards and expectations for every gender and culture, compelling us to follow them until we soon lose our distinction. Gradually, each human being will become a standardized product mass-produced from conveyor belts, an accessory with nothing but the looks that please the crowd.
By duplicating the mannequin head from the mold, I want to demonstrate my vision of a human production conveyor belt that makes all humans look the same. I also intend to create multiple hands to add to the piece as a denotation of the human force that shapes our uniformity. I hope my sculpture work can communicate with the viewers about our standardized society and the importance of maintaining our identities.
