BEYOND THE SKIN project deals with the broad field of skin, and consists of a laboratory and exhibitions.
As part of the laboratory, daily hybrid meetings will be held, with the participation of artists, scientists and commentators from a variety of academic institutions, museums, galleries, journals and social media hubs from all over the world, with on-site participation of the visiting public, and with ongoing and changing video screens displays of the works of the participating artists. Additional display options of the art works are detailed below.
Artworks Gallery
The skin is an anatomical and physiological entity as well as a metaphysical concept, which connects to a multitude of scientific and artistic topics, in a large number of possibilities and challenges. As part of the project, we deal with twelve different meaning, discuss it in the scientific and artistic aspects, accompanied by displays of the artworks.
Flora | Layers | Appendages | Immunity and Interactions | Sensual | Fauna | Time folds | Vogue | Tattoo and Smears | Archeology | Beauty | Performing Arts
BEYOND THE SKIN TOPICS
As part of the project, we deal with twelve different meaning, discuss it in the scientific and artistic aspects, accompanied by displays of the art works.
Flora: Tree barks, wood rings, leaves, fungal coatings – all correspond with skin of yet another world.
Mental: Psychology and psychiatry in relation to skin and skin disorders
Layers: The skin consists of at least 3 different layers (epidermis, dermis and subcutis), each has different features, structures and physiology. Layered, complex, covers will be presented.
Appendages: Hair and hair implants, skin tonus, sweat and oily secretions. The skin is different in various body areas: hand, abdomen, face, nostrils, ear canal and vagina.
Immunity and Interactions: The skin is covered and surrounded by microbiome – huge population of microscopic organisms that affects interpersonal communication, immunity and connections with the environment. This is also corresponds with the Cyber world which is progressively interlaces with the human body.
Sensual: The sensual aspects of skin include touch, stroking, pruritus (itching). We also have goose bumps, and sometimes wish to have a thick skin of an elephant. Heat or irradiation emitting via the skin may monitor internal temperature or emotions.
Fauna: Comparatively, we address the changing colors of the chameleon's skin and the rapid changes of patterns and colors in the octopus' skin. There are also scales in human scalp, fish and reptiles, and the snake's slough, which also symbolizes resurrection.
Time folds: One may envisage the skin of a baby versus the wrinkles of the elderly. Wrinkles differ between hands and face.
Crises and Wounds: Sun tanning, peeling, irradiation effects, burns, skin wounds, pressure wounds, cuts, suturing, wound repair physiology, skin diseases (i.e. blisters, pox, allergic dermatitis, rush, acne), bandages, skin grafts and flaps. The issue of barriers, their breach and repair, comes to mind.
Vogue: Coverings of skin as in modern, novel textiles, furs, fashion, mucus or slime, shells and shields. The fashion shows ceremonies.
Tattoo and Smears: Skin painting, as in practices of war or festivals, tattoo and medical tattoo.
Archeology: We shall look into scrolls made out of animal skins, human scalps or coverings of a mummy.
Beauty: Use of topical medications, creams, lotion. Use of fillers and botox to sculpture one's face.
Performing Arts: Works addressing skin in theatre, dance, cinema, music, poetry and folklore tales.
