FragmentsEvery day, mirrors present us parts of ourselves as we brush our teeth, examine our blemishes, tweeze, shave or wax our unwanted hair, apply our makeup, check our hemlines and judge our unsightly bulges. How do we really feel about the person we see in the glass? Do we engage in a process of introspection or a game of self-deception? Mirrors, like people, can reflect our true selves back to us or show us only that which we choose to see. Each of the titles is a musical reference, inspired by childhood memories of my enthusiastic singing performances—for the applause of a looking glass audience.
If my eyes are the windows to my soul, then does my makeup draw the curtains? Or do the coloured contours, lined lids and black lashes of the eyes I present to the world paint a persona that is also me?
The title of this work alludes to the band Blind Faith, a rock ensemble comprising Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech. They released only one album (self-titled) in 1969, but oh, what an album—best of Traffic and Cream combined!
I bought a second-hand copy of it at Phantasmagoria record shop, once one of Montreal’s most celebrated institutions, when I was about 13. I no longer have that vinyl disc, but I still love every song on the album (listen to it on YouTube).
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