You Always Look at the Universe Through Your Sunglasses I

You Always Look at the Universe Through Your Sunglasses I 

This small but striking selfportrait presents a mixedmedia depiction of the artist. Her face is painted in black and white. She wears purple glittering sunglasses that match her eyeshadow and lipstick. From this point onward, the elements extend three dimensionally from the surface: a blue glittering blouse with a fishscale pattern, a blue heartshaped earring, and artificial hair from a wig secured with a hair clip. Sharp pieces of mirror are arranged around the figure, pointing outward. The background consists of pink holographic paper whose pattern changes depending on the viewing angle. A frame of black faux fur surrounds the work.
The artwork belongs to the series “You Always Look at the Universe Through Your Sunglasses”, which deals with drug use and unhealthy consumption in general. The colorful, glittering, and artificial materials and details can represent the seductive and fascinating side of such consumption. They create a glamorous, almost heightened world, similar to how reality can be perceived while under the influence. At the same time, the face itself remains black and white, appearing grey and pale. This creates a contrast between the intense, alluring perception and the physical consequences of excessive consumption. Make-up, styling, and accessories can transform the external appearance, but they cannot completely conceal increasing exhaustion and the loss of vitality.
The pieces of mirror represent protection and boundaries. With their sharp, outward facing points, they create a protected space around the figure and keep others at a distance. At the same time, they partially reflect the viewer. In this way, the viewer becomes part of the image and is confronted with the subject matter depicted.
Importantly, the work is not limited to drugs alone. More broadly, it raises questions about the advantages and disadvantages of things, people, or habits that we can become dependent on. What gives us pleasure, security, confidence, or an escape from reality can also have negative consequences. The glittering surface represents the attraction and positive aspects, while the pale face and sharp mirrors point toward possible consequences and the need for selfprotection.
Through the reflections, this question is ultimately transferred to the viewer: In the mirror fragments, everyone can recognize not only themselves, but also a personal dependency or habit. The artist’s selfportrait thus becomes a broader exploration of the ambivalence of seduction, dependency, pleasure, and the consequences of our actions.

Details

• Artist: Milena Sündermann
  
• Year: 2019
  
• Medium: Mixed Media
  
• Dimensions: 33 × 26 × 5 cm
  
• Original artwork