alain gilles reflects on our society and endless search of the self with mirror mirror

alain gilles reflects on our society and endless search of the self with mirror mirror
(dimensions) 102 x 70 x 24 cm (H x W, D) // 40.2 x 27.5 x 9.5 inches (H x W, D)
all images courtesy of alain gilles

brussels-based designer alain gilles has created his first piece intended for the art world. called ‘mirror mirror’, the concept behind it is based on the perception and analysis of our society. the idea of studying and investigating oneself, in a tired search for the self, is an aspect present in our everyday life. modern society has become clouded by appearances and the image we reflect back on ourselves through new technologies and social media networks.

reflecting on our society and its endless search for the self

composed of two mirrors, the first one shows the reflection of ourselves as if it were already the actual person, as though that person was already no other that his or her on reflection. this produced image will be echoed and transformed by the second mirror, a smaller one, that observes the first reflection. this second mirror is supported in a way in which a hand would hold any of our internet-connected devices, and it is in itself a prism which transforms the image and puts it through the mill of our society.

video courtesy of ALAIN GILLES / THE STUDIO

this social prism is represented by the grid, the matrix which is the essence itself, the fabric of our society as a whole. but this perception is then swallowed by a gulf, that of the echo of the image which is repeated to infinity and disappears, little by little. at the same time, the large and small mirror, reflected into each other, represent support and mutual help, since they are in interaction with each other, even acting as a kind of shared walking stick, supporting each other.

‘mirror mirror’ is presented at art brussels 2016 from april 22nd – 24th, 2016.

the reflection will be echoed and transformed by the small mirror reflecting our image on the large mirror

the little mirror acts as a prism which transforms the image and puts it through the grid of our society

the lines on the small mirror represent the grid of our society

creating a visual echo, and endless reflection of the person

as if looking at ourselves through our many electronic devices and social media apps

making-of

checking the pieces

assembling the pieces

manual painting process

discussing the plans

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom