The Labour of Looking

Lola Hewitt

Cleopatra saw herself in polished bronze, a warm golden reflection that allowed her to apply thick black kohl eyeliner. Sir Isaac Newton saw himself in speculum metal, a brittle white alloy used in telescopes for a clearer image of the cosmos. Historical methods of mirror production were incredibly labour intensive, and made from rare and valuable materials that made them inaccessible to the vast majority. As time passed, a focus on utility led to the abandonment of ancient techniques in favour of more easily manufacturable materials and techniques. We’ve sacrificed the ability to see ourselves the way our ancestors did; no longer do we look into glowing golden hand mirrors or clear concave reflections at the base of a telescope. This project blends the past and present, setting 5 historical-style mirrors, each with a different colour or texture, in pocket-sized compacts that connect us back to the past.

Mirrors Introspection Self awareness

Thanks, Thanks, Thanks

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