Simon Fujiwara Masks (Merkel F5) & Masks (Merkel E5.3), 2016
Make-up on canvas
Part 1: 200 x 100 x 5,3 cm (unframed); 206 x 105,7 x 7 cm (framed)
Part 2: 200 x 200 x 5,3 cm (unframed); 206 x 205,6 x 7 cm (framed)
For Masks (Merkel), Simon Fujiwara produced what at first appear as abstract painterly compositions on linen in pink and flesh tones. In fact, each canvas is a section from an image depicting the face of Angela Merkel made with the makeup products used by the German Chancellor herself. After consulting Merkel’s personal makeup assistant, Fujiwara used the Chancellor’s specific makeup products and application techniques to create a portrait: which, as the title also suggests, can be understood itself as a personal, yet highly public, mask. Enlarging the portrait 1000 times, each of the luminous pink and beige canvases represents a tiny part of the "mask" created by the HD makeup for the German Chancellor's appearances.