• Geisha. Artist-Prostitute.
Geisha in Japanese is made up of two words that mean “Art” and “Person”, with a literal translation which means “artist”. In the Asiatic culture, a mis-interpretation led the Geisha to be identified as a prostitute or a glorious escort.
• Obi.
A wide ribbon which is part of the kimono. Its wrapped around the waist and tied in a bow at the back. Geishas wear it lower than at the traditional waistline of Japanese women.
• Colours.
Colours stimolate emotional reactions. Certain colours instinctively insti- gate ancient perceptions. In Gabriele’s “useable dolls”, the predominating colours are Red, white and black and 3 primitive colours: clay, carbon and chalk. Red: precious, commonly associated as a symbol of power and Egyptians use it to highlight parts of the human body which are naturally red, like the lips and eroge- nous zones. It is also associated with blood, strength, instinct and passion. Black: expresses dominance and sensuality, severity and mystery. It’s simply a mix of colours in the absence of light White: linked to purity and virginity, it conveys a sense of cleanliness and fre- shness. It is perceived as the colour of serenity and elegance, the colour that num- bs all impulses derived from red and black.
• Silicone, life-like, sexual dolls.
Descendants of the blow up doll, the new sexual dolls are produced from technological material such as silicone, very similar to the human body and equipped with functional sexual mechanisms. It is possible to have them personalised before purchasing, choosing addi- tional parts of the anatomy (the anus is not included in the standard doll) and various other accessories. The most sophisticated and life like are those produced in Japan. They are all women, male versions of the doll are not available as of yet.
• Imitation.
The Japanese life like dolls are replicas of the female body. Many wo- men turn to surgery to obtain a more stereotyped “perfect” beauty. In this case, who is copying who?
• Perfection and Obsession.
In a world where certain traditional aspects of beauty have lost their value and temporary fashion prevails, beauty has become a burden. Perfection is ever more in demand. In order to obtain this perfection one is prepared to change the original layer, be it living or lifeless. Intellectually or aesthetically, makes no difference. The point of reference is not reachable without the aid of re modelling, substituting or touching- up. You cannot obtain a result without interfering with the primary material, in the attempt to mould into the image of beauty.
• Mask and Face.
Every woman that wears make up is wearing a mask. The make up line, under the chin or on the neck, where applied, becomes the border line of the mask. Geishas are women of art and therefore wear very heavy make up in shades of red, white and black. This is a kind of theatrical mask, a shield between their face and the external world. What happens if a mask becomes made up as a human face?
• Omnipotence of man.
Mankind has always proved to have a mania for creative omnipotence; in reality - the conception of pure and perfect race, in pretence – where mythical characters such as Frankenstein and Pinocchio’s “father” Geppetto, dedicated their whole life to creating man, beginning with the lifeless subject.We cannot resist the temptation to create, but art is one way where creation is possible. One creates to substitute a lack of something, to fill a gap, to express ones desires.
• Alienation and Solitude.
Mankind has always proved to have a mania for creative omnipotence; in reality - the conception of pure and perfect race, in pretence – where mythical characters such as Frankenstein and Pinocchio’s “father” Geppetto, dedicated their whole life to creating man, beginning with the lifeless subject.We cannot resist the temptation to create, but art is one way where creation is possible. One creates to substitute a lack of something, to fill a gap, to express ones desires.
• Man and Robot.
The Robot is a sophisticated machine, capable of carrying out jobs that require physical or mental strength. They become androids when they imitate humans. The creation of cyborgs began with grafting biological evolution with artifical elements . The Robot has developed from simple “workers” to life long companions.
• The creation of woman.
And God once said “Man cannot be alone: I want to create a similar being” (Genesis)
• The Male brain.
Recent neuro-scientific studies discovered that the male brain once confronted with images of women in a sexual contest, the men perceive the women as objects, activating the area of the brain used to operate implements and dis-activating the area that is connected with empathy, feelings, and desires for the person they see. Believable?
• Subject - Object.
In a role game, the subject of affection becomes substituted with useable objects.
• Voyeurism.
The desire to observe nudity and erotic scenes from a passive position can be expanded to more explicit atmospheres. Voyeurists can be found in front of the TV, at the cinema, on the train and on the street. The look alone can touch the naked skin without any actual contact, the mind imagines the un-defined and the sex drive is calmed with satisfaction.
• Return of iconography.
Gabriele Corni’s useable dolls are similar to the sunbathers depicted in Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres’s paintings or the women in Nobuyoshi Araki’s photographs, sublimed by the lifeless forms of these realistic dolls?
