LEILA EL-KAYEM: THE WHAT FACE, 2008
What? I’ve asked this question many a time. So often that I got bored saying it and replaced it with the what face. It’s the face you pull when you’re having a conversation in a language that isn’t your own.I’ve been following Lise Harlev’s work since I moved to Berlin. And I must say she’s approached the topic of identity and misunderstandings all too well. In “A secret life” she’s gone deeper to explore the intricacies in conversation between two loved ones. On the left she observes the positive aspect of knowing your partner well, and how not sharing the same mother tongue becomes a small detail of one’s background. On the right however she addresses how this difference can challenge the relationship. I can only relate having experienced the same situations. And in these moments the what face becomes a comical yet puzzling expression; however it makes you think about your identity and who you are. Lise Harlev attempts to remedy the situation by illustrating chosen words from her text, adding layers of symbolism and leaving room for interpretation. But what happens when your backgrounds associate other meanings to the image? The result: the what face. But the what face can quickly turn into the oh face when the conversation reaches levels of overt misunderstandings. It’s these moments that Lise Harlev captures so well. I guess the only thought that comes to mind is to raise your eyebrows in your what face, it adds the notion of wonderment.