Mark Mothersbaugh's latest artistic endeavor disturbs and captivates the human eye at the same time. Beautiful Mutants 2005, Mothersbaugh's photography travelling exhibit, opens March 11th at The Temple Ball Gallery in Carrboro.
The collection of photography is a study of the human form and challenges the normal and natural configuration of the body. The photographs are symmetrical, creating eerie mirror-like images. Another technique he uses is the elongation of the human shape.
While looking at abnormal images of the human figure is usually unpleasant, the distortions displayed in Beautiful Mutants is sickeningly beautiful. While you may want to look away from the images, your eyes are also compelled to linger on each individual photograph.
One particularly disconcerting image is titled “OctoBambino,” a distortion of the limbs of a baby. Other pieces are historical in nature, such as “Liquor Posse” which shows an old west-style saloon picture through Mothersbaugh’s mutated perspective.
Mothersbaugh's obsession with images and different views of the world stems from the fact that he is very nearsighted and legally blind. While Mothersbaugh has been creating visual art for over thirty years, he is an artist of many media. His accomplishments include filmography and creating soundtracks for movies. He is most well known for his musical work in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou and The Royal Tennenbaums. With his rock band, Devo, he has surpassed the normal role of a band in pop culture—reaching a large audience through films, videos, stage shows and printed materials. Mothersbaugh has also acted and played voice roles for animation.
The Mothersbaugh tour has roots in North Carolina—its project manager Michael Tilmer hails from Raleigh. Rick Ramirez, Temple Ball's owner, said that this information left him “that much more inspired to approach Mothersbaugh” to make Temple the first stop of the tour. Ramirez and Tilmer “combined efforts to arrange the photographs within the gallery's space.” This week, a preview of the full exhibit is on display and the gallery has a “tentative plan of how the final exhibit will look,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez and Tilmer decided to repaint the gallery a glossy black color from its original white to highlight the limited edition prints. Only 20 of each print have been made and authenticated with Mothersbaugh’s rubber-stamp embossment. All of the pieces are for sale with prices ranging from $200 to $600.
Beautiful Mutant’s grossly distorted and, at times, creepy images challenge photographic and artistic norms.
The official opening reception is Friday night, March 11. Temple Ball Gallery is located just past Franklin Street at 307 E. Main St. in Carrboro.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.