… is an installation that continuously transforms the viewer’s face into those of others. The central display reflects the viewer’s current self, while on either side, alternative versions of themselves—faces of various ages, genders, and ethnicities—constantly shift and transform. As they confront this fluid, ever-changing self, viewers are invited to engage with possible versions of themselves that might have existed. Gazing at these faces triggers a cascade of impressions. Moving in front of the work amplifies these impressions or creates a sense of dissonance. By experimenting with different gestures alongside the shifting faces, viewers are encouraged to imagine new self-images, distinct from their present identity.

Concept

Standing before a mirror. Seeing one’s face. Unlocking a smartphone through facial recognition. Presenting a passport as identification. Appearing in video calls. Recognizing someone by their face—at the core of our existence as “ourselves,” the face is always there. The face is a symbol of identity, ensuring that a person is who they are. Identity is a personal matter, yet it is always imbued with social and political significance. In recent years, identity politics—political action based on gender, ethnicity, and other identity factors—has come to the forefront. While it is a crucial concept for amplifying minority voices in political discourse, its radicalization can also deepen societal divisions.

This work presents a layered and continuously shifting self-image. By doing so, it aims to relativize one’s perception of identity and foster new connections with others. If our appearance were different, what kind of “self” might we have been? As we face these fluid faces, we begin to sense and imagine the presence of an “other self” within us. This process naturally unravels rigid notions of identity. Accompanied by both discomfort and exhilaration, this experience is what we call “Identity Stretching Exercise.”