Cyber Folklore - Thousand Faces Series
This series draws inspiration from the Chinese tradition, specifically the awe-inspiring ”Mountain Opening God“ mask from the Chinese Nuo Opera. In Nuo Opera, a mask is not merely a decoration or prop; it symbolizes divinity. The person wearing the mask is believed to be possessed by the deity, embodying divine actions and demeanor.
The ”Mountain Opening God“ as the inaugural character in every drama, possesses a majestic aura of ”creating heavens and earth,“ and is often considered by folklore scholars as a symbol originating from the Chinese primordial deity ”Pangu.“ However, local beliefs often interpret this as the image of an ancient goddess. I‘ve often found that while the images of Chinese goddesses are gentle and beautiful, they lack a certain “ferocious” aspect. Thus, the “Thousand-Faced” series was born, aiming to explore and express the multifaceted nature of femininity, including its fierce and formidable essence. Through this series, I hope to challenge the stereotypical gentle image of female deities and showcase the rich diversity and boundless strength of feminine divinity.