Old Self (Portrait of the Artist as He Will (Not) Be, Variation 1)

Old

 

Self

 

(Portrait

 

of

 

the

 

Artist

 

as

 

He

 

Will

 

(Not)

 

Be,

 

Variation

 

1)

About the artwork

Old Self: Portrait of the Artist as He Will (Not) Be, Variation 1 is a twice-life-size, sculptural bust depicting the head and shoulders of a man in his mid-70s. This man wears a plain t-shirt, round glasses, and a contemplative facial expression. Up close, it is highly detailed with stubble, wrinkled skin marked by blemishes and stippled with tiny pores. The work is both a self-portrait of the artist and an imaginary portrayal of the artist as he may look one day, years in the future.

About the artist:

Evan Penny is a Canadian artist world-renowned for his spectacularly realistic creations that manipulate the human body in surprising ways. He began making and exhibiting realistic sculptures of the human form in the late 70s and early 80s. He has also worked extensively in special effects for the film and television industry. Through his experience with special effects, Penny became skilled in using materials like human hair and fleshy silicone, and he began incorporating these techniques in his sculptures.

Please preview the short film and then share it with your students. Select one or two guiding questions that reflect your curriculum and can guide student research and inquiry connected to the artwork, artists, and the socio-cultural context in which it was created.

Guiding Provocations:

• In a world of AI and social media, how do we know what we see is real?
• Examine the way the artist uses the principle of “duration” in this artwork.
• Examine the way the artist uses the principle of “point of view” in this artwork.
• In what ways does this artwork ask us to question what is real?
• What effects might the widespread use of computers and associated technologies have on society and how we perceive ourselves?
• Examine how ideas of aging are present in the artist’s work.
• How does Penny’s work in film support his success as a sculpture?
• Explore possible career paths in art and film, what training and skills might be required?
• Examine how the process and the variety of material contributes to the success of the artwork.
• Create an artwork, dance, dramatic scene, or creative writing piece that compares and contrasts your current self with your future self.
• Create an artwork, dance, dramatic scene, or creative writing piece that compares and contrasts your current self with your future self.
• What factors might contribute to healthful aging?
• Examine environmental issues related to health care, personal well-being, and experiences of aging.
• Create an artwork, dance, dramatic scene, or creative writing piece that explores the impact of conventions and/or unconventional healthcare.