Rosalind Krauss in Passages of Modern Sculpture identifies The Three Shades at the top of Rodin’s Gates of Hell as modern through his choice of representing the same figure three times allowing for different points of view. She draws a comparison to The Three Graces statues in classical sculpture suggesting it as a commentary on a classical theme. I was enthused by the proposition of using the same figure three times in the same composition and having been made aware of these daughters of Zeus they became the title of the print. This is another piece that confronts the body as well as mystical exaltation this time with a carnivalesque ascension of the corporeal. It is interesting that I know this is the representation of the same character however they look just different enough to represent the sisters. The headwear or mask serves to assure intent, as mythologically the sisters would serve to entertain with their beauty.

 

The next print is again of the same figure represented twice and goes further into the idea of mask as an equalizer presented in the carnivalesque. In the context of the Carnival that is true, the mask is an equalizer since everybody at the Carnival is wearing one, but in the context of the individual it has the opposite effect, it’s a bit strange to be wearing a mask. Therefore, the title reflects this thought.

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