John Tonkin: Elective Physiognomies

Title:

Elective Physiognomies

Artist(s) and People Involved:

Exhibiting Artist(s):



• John Tonkin

Symposium:

• ISEA95: Sixth International Symposium on Electronic Art
• More artworks from ISEA95:  

Venue(s):

• École Cherrier , Montreal , Canada

Medium:

Animation

Artist Statement:

Physiognomy is the reading of a person’s character from the physical features of their face. It raises questions about the nature of identity, to what extent is identity essential, to what extent constructed. We are told not to judge a book by its cover, yet we obviously use non-verbal means of communication. The rigid schematism of a physiognomical treatise demonstrates a desire for exactness in the knowledge of these inexact things. Contemporary fields of scientific research, eg. the Human Genome Project, seem just as prone to tendencies of over-simplification as those of the enlightenment.

Category:

• Art Exhibition
• Video / Animation Installation