Dr. Lee Jin-soo's Plastic Surgery Essay 34 - Reflections on Masks
The coronavirus is persisting for an extended period. Now, masks have become an integral part of our daily lives. Observing almost everyone on the streets wearing masks, I am reminded of the painter Richard Prince. RichardPrince Masquerade nurse ink jet and acrylic on canvas 203.2 × 116.8 cm 2004 This piece is one I saw at last year's 'LETTER Exhibition' held by Seoul Auction. Richard Prince gained fame with his 'Cowboy' series, a direct parody of the 'Marlboro' cigarette advertisements. His practice of rephotographing other people's photos has given rise to the genre in the art world known as 'Rephotograph.' When I mentioned this artist's rephotograph to an acquaintance, they immediately exclaimed, "That's so cheeky!" Indeed, Prince has faced legal challenges, including a trial for photo appropriation (initially acquitted in the first trial, but the decision was overturned in the second and third trials). In the 2000s,