MAYA ATTOUN

Lover's Eye

2016

RMCA Redtory Museum of Contemporary Art, Guangzhou, China

Curator: Yaniv Shapira

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Lover's Eye, pencil on paper, wood,  variable measures (9 rectangular 30x40,7 square  30x30 cm, 6 oval 31x36 cm, 3 round 34ø, 2 round 30ø), 2016

 

 

 

 

Curtain, Sublimation print of fabric, 410x410 cm, 2016

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Lover's Eye is a miniature used to  depicts the eye or eyes of a spouse, loved one or child. These miniatures were usually commissioned for sentimental reasons and were often worn as bracelets, brooches, pendants or rings with richly decorated frames. At the 18th century they referred to these pieces as “eye miniatures”; today we call them “lover’s eyes”.

 

The original idea was that, by only showing an eye, these miniatures would effectively conceal the identity of the person who was shown, This way, the miniatures could be worn or exhibited publicly.

 

all participants in this Show (Chinese and Israelis) were asked to collaborate by sending a photo of the Eye of their loved one which turned into pencil drawings on paper. The eyes, now bigger than an original size and framed, are hanged together as lucky charms.