Evénements
et Projets
"Alter Ego"
a collective art project
exploring the theme of Otherness
35 portraits
An infinity of ideas and responses
A creative tapestry woven by all contributors
From a virtual platform to exhibitions and performances
The genesis of the “Alter Ego” project
I have selected 36 portraits that I drew over the three decades of my creative work.
None of the people they represent have actually sat in front of me. Instead, they came and revealed themselves on the paper while I was drawing. Some of them feel familiar. Others inspire in me a sense of strangeness and curiosity as I stare at them – and they stare at me! Whatever the feeling, their presence fascinates me by their “otherness”.
Who are they? Where do they come from? What is their story? What aspect of me do they hold? What is connecting us beyond our differences?
The idea of the “Alter Ego” project stemmed from these questions and from the times we live in. Illusory concepts of separation, differences and stigmatisation feed a lot of the narratives and relationships we experience in the world today - more or less virtually. Far from serving humanity, they increase isolation, unworthiness and (self-)loathing and thus alter the qualities of relationship and communication between human beings, be they between individuals or groups.
What if we were looking beyond the limits of our current narratives? Beyond the limits of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stand between us? What if we were to look at what unites us as human beings?
Stories, food, dance, music, laughter, the eagerness to share, to learn, to give and receive are all common threads of Human Life. When we bring together different colours, sounds, textures, flavours, we help to create a rich tapestry of life, where each element contributes to the whole.
Now, I invite you to join in with the “Alter Ego" project by submitting your own unique contribution, which will become an essential part of the collective input forming the fabric of the project.
What would
you
like to bring to
the “Alter Ego” project?
Where and how you start
Open the gallery here.
Take your time to look at each portrait
Choose one - or let one choose you!
What comes to your mind?
What do you feel while looking at it?
Does it trigger a memory in you?
Do you recognise that person?
Who are they?
Is this “other one” a part of you?
Let your imagination flow!
I invite you to play...
… and join the “Alter Ego” project by creating a piece in relation to the portrait of your choice, which can take the form of:
a poem
a text
a song
a soundscape
a collage
a dance
a food dish
a drawing or painting
an animation film
a piece of music
a sculpture
an object
a quote
a picture
a puppet or a figurine
an improvisation
or any other medium you like and feel drawn to use.
Please let your response be personal, bold, funny, intimate, authentic, provocative, political, small/big, passionate, quiet, magic... as you wish.
Note: Your contribution doesn't have to be limited to one portrait or one creative piece. If you wish to make several pieces or work with more than one portrait, please feel free to do so!
The practical aspects of the project in detail
The “Alter Ego” project will unfold in 3 stages
Stage 1 :
Creation and collection
Stage 2 :
Public online platform
Stage 3 :
Exhibitions and performances
Important note :
You choose how, when and where you want to participate at all times.
Stage 1 :
1 - You make your creative work in the medium of your choice.
You can do it alone or set up a gathering with a few friends (coffee morning or afternoon tea?) or as a family, where you each individually create your piece and then share and discuss the pieces together or you make one collective creation – could be fun!
2 - You send your creation to me in the appropriate format (text/photo/mp3/video) by email at alteregoparticipate@gmail.com
= There is no deadline to submit your creation. “Alter Ego" is an ongoing project.
= If you do not want your creative work to be made public and want to participate in Stage 1 only, I will keep it private and will remain the only viewer/reader/receiver.
Stage 2 :
I will create a website for the “Alter Ego" project with a page per portrait. I will upload your creative work on the page dedicated to the portrait of your choice, along with the creative pieces from other participants.
= Copyright will be ensured and no one will be allowed to copy, download and/or share your creation at any time. All means of protection will be put in place.
= Your identity on the website will be the one you choose to display (i.e. initials; nickname; full name or other).
= I will be the sole administrator of the website, therefore I will proceed with all uploadings - and with your authorisation for your piece.
= The “Alter Ego” website will be a free online gallery not a commercial platform.
= Stage 2 can happen only when I have received enough material from participants. I will contact you personally when the website is ready and will check with you whether you wish to be part of Stage 2 or not. I will then inform you of every detail related to copyright.
= You can decide to join and change your mind at anytime!
Stage 3 :
In the long run, I want “Alter Ego” to evolve from an online project to an event that includes exhibitions and performances:
exhibitions of the portraits and the visual creations of the participants
along with performances by musicians, actors, dancers of the texts/songs/dance pieces.
= I will keep you updated with the evolution and progress towards the realisation of Stage 3 in due time.
***
I wish “Alter Ego” to be a starting point for collaboration, creative ideas and actions to evolve from its initial stage.
For this to happen, I need your creative input.
Are you ready to step in?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
Warmest wishes,
Cecile Mustiere
