Unidentified

L'Inconnue de la Seine - the unknown woman of the Seine - is a haunting image. The story goes that a lady drowned in the Seine River in Paris and the serenity in the face compelled someone to cast it in plaster. It is assumed she committed suicide. Why is her smile so peaceful?

Suicide has always featured lengthily in various discussions - pro-life, pro-choice, upholding honour, tragedy, mental health. In some cultures, it is a shunned subject that one does not utter. In psychology, practitioners are trained explicitly to use the word suicide because it is so hard to say to people who are contemplating it. However, this plaster cast has been replicated many times, reportedly becoming a common fixture in artists homes.

The contradiction of this work surprises and inspires. It sees, yet its eyes are closed. It smiles, yet it is a plaster cast of a dead woman's face. Is it because this form is so familiar to the face of humanity, that it affects us so deeply?

For more on this plaster cast visit the Wikipedia page.

Work

Work Hard, Play Hard is a film that documents some of the real struggles with a efficiency society. Our work, environments and the way we do things all play into this current condition. The Screen Daily review:

The film mixes a clinically precise tone with social conscience and some dark satire – excellent and chilling.

That sounds like my sort of film! Mix a bit of architecture, psychology, and humanity (or humanness) and you get an excellent discussion point.

Work Hard, Play Hard is a film by Taskovski Film. It will be showing in Event Cinemas Newmarket tomorrow night 6:30pm and next Wednesday 8:30pm. Also some screenings in Wellington.