Monday 19 December 2011
Beefranck's Emporium
MrXStitch strikes again. My twin project is lucky enough to be featured by Beefranck, as part of Beefranck's Emporium! How exciting! Click here to see it!
Monday 21 November 2011
Double Imagery
Double imagery is all around us. Pattern is unavoidable in day to day life. I took a 96 pace walk from my studio space to the back exit of T2. In this short walk, I found 8 double images.
There are 3 images here that stand out to me the most.
The first is of the plug sockets. They have near perfect symmetry. The switches, the socket, the screws, but they all link as one by the single pipe like structure coming from the top (umbilical?), which then highlights the fact they are all encased in one frame (womb like?).
The second image is that of the boxes. One is upside down almost breaking up their identicality, but this is then reaffirmed by the way in which the blue stripe continues as one across them both, connecting them (conjoined?).
The final photograph is of the fire extinguishers. At first glance, they look the same, but each actually has its own unique identity. They put out different types of fires, but both have the same function (to extinguish). One is larger than the other (dominance?).
Sunday 20 November 2011
One Actor, Two Roles
I just finished watching 'Dead Ringers'. Other than the fact it was a weird and not very up beat sunday afernoon film, I found myself most concerned by the fact that film makers had chosen Jeremy Irons to portray BOTH Mantle brothers. This is also the case in another famous twin movie 'The Parent Trap' (both versions).
Why? Why not find two perfectly good actors who are identical twins to play the part of identical twins? Surely there are twin actors out there? Perhaps it is a gimmick by the film company to promote the cleverness of the filming. Maybe identical twins just weren't identical enough compared to one person.
To be honest, I found this really distracting and couldn't help looking for the join in the film where they sandwiched the same actor twice into the same frame, or looking out for the dodgy wig they'd put onto the 'Jeremy Irons from behind' actor whenever the brothers had physical contact.
I have been trawling the web to find answers, but so far seem unsuccessful. However, in my search I have also came across films that feature twins, but use non-twin actors. Which bring me back to my original question of why!?
Can anyone shed any light?
Why? Why not find two perfectly good actors who are identical twins to play the part of identical twins? Surely there are twin actors out there? Perhaps it is a gimmick by the film company to promote the cleverness of the filming. Maybe identical twins just weren't identical enough compared to one person.
To be honest, I found this really distracting and couldn't help looking for the join in the film where they sandwiched the same actor twice into the same frame, or looking out for the dodgy wig they'd put onto the 'Jeremy Irons from behind' actor whenever the brothers had physical contact.
I have been trawling the web to find answers, but so far seem unsuccessful. However, in my search I have also came across films that feature twins, but use non-twin actors. Which bring me back to my original question of why!?
Can anyone shed any light?
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Dindi van der Hoek
Dindi van der Hoek uses twins as the center focus of 'interior'. The busy background and watery atmosphere are almost made irrelevant by the strong use of the identical twins, who's almost conjoined present is very demanding. All the objects of the room almost blend together in tone and style, whereas the figures do not, standing out due to their size and bold blue colouring on their dresses. This is a perfect example of how a double image, or twins, can really take the focus within a space. Reflection and mirroring also helps to emphasise this idea within the piece.
Van der Hoek, D (2004) Interior [photograph] In: Klanten, R. Ehmann, S. Schluze, F. (2011) Doppelganger: The Image of the Human Being Berlin
Thursday 27 October 2011
The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef
Twin sisters Christine and Margaret Wertheim have joined forces to create art together, and raise awareness of the impact global warming is having on the Coral Reef. Although the theme does not relate to my work, I find it very interesting that the sisters have chosen to work together on the project. The 'arty' twin is able to drive the creative process, where as the 'scientific' sister can bring knowledge and accuracy to the pieces. This powerful combination has resulted in an amazing result. The project has branched out to many cities across the globe and the crochet reef has expanded through workshops. I am really impressed with the result of some of the reefs, with look unrecognisable as crochet. For more information, check out their website.
Midelburg, M (n.d.) Crochet Coral and Anemone Garden [Crochet] Available at: <http://crochetcoralreef.org/about/index.php> [Accessed: 27th October 2011]
Midelburg, M (n.d.) Crochet Coral and Anemone Garden [Crochet] Available at: <http://crochetcoralreef.org/about/index.php> [Accessed: 27th October 2011]
Two Sides of the Same Coin
It has taken me about a week to create these two pieces. Air dry clay is smelly and takes an age to dry. All the holes had to be made and remade about 6 times. So much time was put in and to be honest I'm not entirely sure if I even LIKE these samples. However, I do like the fact that the same embroidery can be so different when it's looked at from both sides. The expressions are almost opposite to each other and it brings out that idea of two perceptions of one thing.
Saturday 22 October 2011
Candice Breitz: Factum
Factum KangFrom the series Factum2009
Edition of 5
Dual-channel installation: 2 hard drives
Duration: 69 minutes 10 seconds looped
"Breitz has often shown an interest in the alternating modes of desire and repulsion that shift between lovers, fans and celebrities. 'Factum' looks at the intensity of these forces between identical twins. Each 'Factum' is presented as a diptych (and one triptych), with each twin or triplet beside his or her sibling, dressed almost identically and in the same setting. Breitz interviewed each individual alone for up to seven hours, asking each twin the same set of questions. The artist then transcribed and analyzed each pair of interviews before editing the material into a dynamic conversation between the siblings, with the intertwining forces of documentary and fiction constantly at play. Through candid, often emotional responses, they reveal the strangeness, joys and difficulties of living one's life in parallel to someone who shares your exact genetic code and yet who possesses a distinct identity, with desires and tastes that may differ in subtle or significant ways. While the initial interview allowed each twin or triplet to tell his or her own story unencumbered by the presence of a sibling, Breitz complicates this relationship in the finished work by introducing the other twin as an interlocutor who offers a different perspective, with the artist also implicitly present as a third 'author' to the biographies. Through this format, Breitz underlines how any biography becomes a negotiation between various relationships, circumstances and desires - not to mention one's genetic heritage." (whitecube)
Factum McNamara
From the series Factum
2009
Edition of 5
Dual-channel installation: 2 hard drives
Duration: 49 minutes 29 second looped
From the series Factum
2009
Edition of 5
Dual-channel installation: 2 hard drives
Duration: 49 minutes 29 second looped
As she states in the video commentary, Factum I & II are more about their differences than similarties. They are an imperfect double image. This doubling, twinning and a-symmetry is a theme route I will be exploring from now on in my twin project. I will be removing myself from the personal side and focus more on the appearance and patterning in my work, playing on the way in which two 'identical' images catch the eye and force the viewer to look more closely.
Breitz, C (2009) Factum Kang [Online image: Video Still] Available at: <http://www.whitecube.com/exhibitions/factum/I/> [Accessed 22nd October 2011]
Breitz, C (2009) Factum McNamara [Online image: Video Still] Available at: <http://www.whitecube.com/exhibitions/factum/I/> [Accessed 22nd October 2011]
Anon (2010) Candice Breitz: Factum [online] Available at: <http://www.whitecube.com/exhibitions/factum/I/> [Accessed 22nd October 2011]
Friday 21 October 2011
Pt. II
As I said, my space will change quite a lot. I took everything down today and started again! I made a very quick photojoiner of my area so you can see it in more detail (click the image to enlarge).
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Winter Coats
Back: A3 embroidery on canvas
I can't decide whether I like the front or the back of my embroidery better...
Our DNA Profile
"The grey lines represent an allelic ladder. These bars correspond with peaks that are expected to be seen in human DNA profiles. The second blue peak does not fit into a grey area as it is shifted to the right. This is called an Off Ladder (OL) peak, meaning the allele (i.e. gene) is not usually seen in typical human DNA, and therefore a mutation of that allele has occured. This is rare, but does happen."
So, as well as being twins, we have a rare genetic mutation. Not sure what this mutation means yet, but I don't have any extra fingers or toes so I'm not too worried!
Norma Minkowitz
I came across this sculpture in a book in the library and was instantly drawn to it. As an embroiderer I am fascinated by anything outside my specialism and this knitted sculpture is a perfect example. 'Sisters' gives the illusion of conjoined twins and the perfect form of the knitted structure suspended in space is very exciting.
Minkowitz, N (1998) Sisters [wood, fibre, paint, resin, wire ] In: Tatham, R. ed. (2004) Portfolio Collection:Norma Minkowitz. Bristol
Monday 10 October 2011
This is Where the Magic Happens...
Thought I'd upload a photo of the current state of my studio space. I imagine it'll change quite a few times over the next few months.
Saturday 8 October 2011
Hong Chun Zhang
"Twin Spirits"#1 (2002), 4ft x 10ft (each), charcoal on paper
Hong Chun Zhang created large scale charcoal studies of hair. To begin, she focused on her own and her twin sister's hair, using it to comment on their differences and similarities.
"Twin Spirits are large charcoal hair drawings, self-portraits of my twin sister and me. I use long hair to exaggerate our major characteristic and as a metaphor to reveal something that is beyond the hair. These drawings are presented as scroll paintings in order to accentuate the length of the piece and the flow of long hair. The larger than life-size scale creates a three-dimensional effect that extends the meaning beyond the surface." (H.C. Zhang, 2002)
Hong Chun Zhang created large scale charcoal studies of hair. To begin, she focused on her own and her twin sister's hair, using it to comment on their differences and similarities.
"Twin Spirits are large charcoal hair drawings, self-portraits of my twin sister and me. I use long hair to exaggerate our major characteristic and as a metaphor to reveal something that is beyond the hair. These drawings are presented as scroll paintings in order to accentuate the length of the piece and the flow of long hair. The larger than life-size scale creates a three-dimensional effect that extends the meaning beyond the surface." (H.C. Zhang, 2002)
Zhang, H.C. (2002) Long Hair [online] Available at: <http://www.hongchunzhang.com/index.php?screen=series&series=01_Long Hair> [Accessed 8th October 2011]
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Monday 12 September 2011
Rachael's Graduation
Rachael graduated from Northumbria Uni this year with a 2:1 in her Forensic Science degree. She is now going on to do her MSci. She is one of the smartest people I know.
I cried.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Why Are Identical Twins Different?: Studies Explain the Differences In Twins With Supposedly Matching Genes
The stereotype of identical twins is that they are exactly alike: they look alike, they dress in matching outfits, they share the same likes and dislikes. Parents of identical twins know differently, however. Despite their shared genetic component, identical multiples are unique individuals. Though they do share similarities, they also have many differences.
For example, my own children have always exhibited about a twenty-five percent difference in their weight. When they were newborns, weighing four and five pounds, it was quite obvious. At other times as they've grown up, it's not noticeable. We have confirmed that they are indeed identical twins, yet people are often sceptical because they don't "look" alike.
They don't act alike either. One likes to dance; the other likes to play basketball. Certainly, we encourage them to pursue their individual interests, abut the initial inclination towards these activities were all their own.
This is one of the first pieces I have read on twins that begins by stating identical twins individuality, rather than their similarities. This instantly makes me feel comfortable with the author, and I appreciate their out look. I also feel there is a less science based background to the person as in the other books I have read, there is a very obvious outsider view, all based on facts and science rather than personal opinion or experience.
While identical twins form with the same set of genes, human development is not just genetic. The environment also has an impact. So, beginning in the early environment of the womb, external influences can change the appearance of twins. For example, some monozygotic twins share a placenta. One twin may have a more advantageous connection to the placenta, receiving the first run of nutrients. This situation can cause a size discrepancy between the babies, a physical difference that continues as they grow up. While most twins grow up in the same home environment, there are many circumstances that create differences in the childrens' appearances, personalities, and interests. As the twins approach the teen years, they may even seek to establish dissimilar qualities in order to establish individual identities.
This extract is precise and straight to the point. In the womb, I took most of the nutrition, resulting in me being much larger than Rachael. As a result, I have always remained taller and wider than her. It is also true to say that as we grow older, we look less alike and definitely have different personalities.
Scientists have offered a new explanation for the differences between identical twins. Epigenome refers to natural chemical modifications within a person's genome (genetic material). As an article in the New York Times explains, they "act on a gene like a gas pedal or a brake, marking it for higher or lower activity."
A study conducted by a team of researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Center in Madrid
Although I am not scientifically minded, I find this information interesting. Again, I can say I do believe that as we grow older, Rachael and I become more and more different, but this has never affected our close bond.
Prindle Fierro, P (2011) Why Are Identical Twins Different?: Studies Explain the Differences In Twins With Supposedly Matching Genes. Available at: <http://multiples.about.com/od/funfacts/a/differenttwins.htm> [Accessed 7th Sept 2011]
Twin Studies
Study 1 - Attachment
Figure 9.1 Intrapair relationships attachment to each other - monozygotic twin boys, 10 months. Their father is with them. Proximity seeking behaviour is very evident.
Top Left: They kiss each other and hold bands.
Top Right: Twin 1 is all over Twin 2's body. Twin 2 holds his brother's arm and touches his head.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 approaches, touches and kisses twin 2, who seems slightly more distant. However, Twin 2 does not protest or move away and touches his brother's arm.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 puts his arm around his brother's shoulder while looking directly at him. Twin 2 puts his hand inside his brother's mouth while looking down. Their father strokes Twin 2's head.
In none of the pictures do the twins turn around to look at their father.
I really love this study. It really shows the powerful connection between twins, even at the young age of 10 months. The fact the pair are completely immersed in each other, and are uninterested in everyone else around them (including their own father), is a great example of twinship. Rachael and I always had each other, no matter who else was or wasn't around.
Study 2 - Dominance
Figure 9.7 Dominance - monozygotic twin girls, 2 years 6 months. Dominance in this case was fostered by maternal preference.
Top: The non-favoured twin is sucking a lollipop. The dominant one grabs it.
Middle: The lollipop is now in the mouth of the dominant sister. The other does not rebel or protest.
Bottom: The dominant twin continues to suck the lollipop. Her sister turns away without protesting.
20 seconds into my own home video, Toddlin' On, is an almost exact re-enactment of this study. I, being the dominant twin, take Rachael's dummy. She tries for a few seconds to get it back, but quickly loses interest and accepts that she no longer has it. However, I know that I was not a favoured twin, we were both treated equally, and my dominance came from the fact I was bigger.
Study 3 - Imitation
Figure 9.2 Imitation - monozygotic twin boys, 2 years
Top Left: Twin 1 is cleaning the wall and so is Twin 2.
Top Right: Twin 1 moves to clean another surface and Twin 2 follows him.
Middle Left: Twin 2 cleans their plastic slide and so does Twin 1.
Middle Right: Twin 1 has now climbed onto a small table and Twin 2 is climbing onto an identical one.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 cleans his mother's shoes and Twin 2 approaches him.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 has left, but Twin 2 imitates what his co-twin has just done. He cleans his mother's shoes.
Again, one of my own home videos resembles this study. In Keyboard Queen, 1994 I am playing my brother's keyboard and because I am playing, Rachael automatically wants to join in. I play a song, she then wants to play the same song again. However, I am once again the dominating twin, telling her off for doing it wrong and showing her what to do. Rachael does not object and does as she has been told. There are numerous other examples of imitation from our youth in which I would do something, and Rachael would follow.
Study 4 - The Magic Bond
To begin with (and sometimes from then on) certain twins did not react well to mutual physical proximity. Being put next to each other seemed to have little or no significance at this point. Often parents were actually surprised and disappointed by the scarcity or even total absence of interactions between their newborn twins. Many, in order to re-create their union within the womb and to offer them some form of comfort, put them in the same cot only to have them cry in protest over the apparent lack of space. When placed together, most twins lay in distant corners of their cradle and showed signs of irritation at any stimulation originating from the other twin. Dizygotic twins in particular seemed quite disturbed by the vicinity of another baby. Parents of dizygotic twins were on the whole less tenacious in their attempts at reunion, and dizygotic twins were more persistent in their rebellion. Most monozygotic twins, however, quickly adapted to their parent's insistence on putting them next to each other and began to find comfort in the proximity of their co-twin. Monozygotic twins seemed especially 'compatible'.
As babies, Rachael and I had seperate cots. However, when my mam rearrange the furniture, putting us back to back, we screamed until we were returned to being put side by side. Although we did not share a bed, if we could not see or touch each other, we became distressed.
Top Left: They kiss each other and hold bands.
Top Right: Twin 1 is all over Twin 2's body. Twin 2 holds his brother's arm and touches his head.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 approaches, touches and kisses twin 2, who seems slightly more distant. However, Twin 2 does not protest or move away and touches his brother's arm.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 puts his arm around his brother's shoulder while looking directly at him. Twin 2 puts his hand inside his brother's mouth while looking down. Their father strokes Twin 2's head.
In none of the pictures do the twins turn around to look at their father.
I really love this study. It really shows the powerful connection between twins, even at the young age of 10 months. The fact the pair are completely immersed in each other, and are uninterested in everyone else around them (including their own father), is a great example of twinship. Rachael and I always had each other, no matter who else was or wasn't around.
Study 2 - Dominance
Figure 9.7 Dominance - monozygotic twin girls, 2 years 6 months. Dominance in this case was fostered by maternal preference.
Top: The non-favoured twin is sucking a lollipop. The dominant one grabs it.
Middle: The lollipop is now in the mouth of the dominant sister. The other does not rebel or protest.
Bottom: The dominant twin continues to suck the lollipop. Her sister turns away without protesting.
20 seconds into my own home video, Toddlin' On, is an almost exact re-enactment of this study. I, being the dominant twin, take Rachael's dummy. She tries for a few seconds to get it back, but quickly loses interest and accepts that she no longer has it. However, I know that I was not a favoured twin, we were both treated equally, and my dominance came from the fact I was bigger.
Study 3 - Imitation
Figure 9.2 Imitation - monozygotic twin boys, 2 years
Top Left: Twin 1 is cleaning the wall and so is Twin 2.
Top Right: Twin 1 moves to clean another surface and Twin 2 follows him.
Middle Left: Twin 2 cleans their plastic slide and so does Twin 1.
Middle Right: Twin 1 has now climbed onto a small table and Twin 2 is climbing onto an identical one.
Bottom Left: Twin 1 cleans his mother's shoes and Twin 2 approaches him.
Bottom Right: Twin 1 has left, but Twin 2 imitates what his co-twin has just done. He cleans his mother's shoes.
Again, one of my own home videos resembles this study. In Keyboard Queen, 1994 I am playing my brother's keyboard and because I am playing, Rachael automatically wants to join in. I play a song, she then wants to play the same song again. However, I am once again the dominating twin, telling her off for doing it wrong and showing her what to do. Rachael does not object and does as she has been told. There are numerous other examples of imitation from our youth in which I would do something, and Rachael would follow.
Study 4 - The Magic Bond
To begin with (and sometimes from then on) certain twins did not react well to mutual physical proximity. Being put next to each other seemed to have little or no significance at this point. Often parents were actually surprised and disappointed by the scarcity or even total absence of interactions between their newborn twins. Many, in order to re-create their union within the womb and to offer them some form of comfort, put them in the same cot only to have them cry in protest over the apparent lack of space. When placed together, most twins lay in distant corners of their cradle and showed signs of irritation at any stimulation originating from the other twin. Dizygotic twins in particular seemed quite disturbed by the vicinity of another baby. Parents of dizygotic twins were on the whole less tenacious in their attempts at reunion, and dizygotic twins were more persistent in their rebellion. Most monozygotic twins, however, quickly adapted to their parent's insistence on putting them next to each other and began to find comfort in the proximity of their co-twin. Monozygotic twins seemed especially 'compatible'.
As babies, Rachael and I had seperate cots. However, when my mam rearrange the furniture, putting us back to back, we screamed until we were returned to being put side by side. Although we did not share a bed, if we could not see or touch each other, we became distressed.
Alessandra Piontelli (2002) Twins: From Fetus to Child. New York: Routledge. pp. 93, 119, 122 & 129.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Quote of the Day
A friend posted this as a status on facebook today. I think it is a perfect example of what was discussed in my entry Exploring Twins by Elizabeth Stewart. The use of the phrase 'of course' really tickled me...
Thursday 25 August 2011
Audrey Kawasaki
Audrey kawasaki often uses twins as inspiration for her dreamy portraits. She creates these amazing drawings on wooden panels, which bring 'an unexpected warmth to enigmatic subject matter' (bio). Often, she choses imagery that some may find shocking, but that can also be percieved as beautiful. I personally find her twin work elegant and intreguing. Her use of soft tones and line along with the inattentive expressions help lure the viewer in and have definately left an impression in my brain.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
The World's Most Identical Twin and Me
Last year, Mark Dolan went on the search for the world's most identical twin as part of his 'World's Most...and Me' series. I watched it when it was originally aired and found it interesting, and so decided to rewatch it on 4OD to help me with my project.
Dolan's aim was to find out whether twins are really as close as they seem. He begins by describing his own perception of twins. To him, the idea of twins conjures up sinister imagery - The Shining, the Crays, holding hands and speaking in unison. He also makes a point that he does not understand why identical twins are doomed to dress the same. I think he makes a valid point here. My mam dressed Rachael and I the same while we were growing up, and only stopped once we were old enough to say we wanted our own styles. I cringe at the thought of Rachael and I being so 'twinny' that past the age of 10 we would own the exact same wardrobe of clothes. I even feel silly if we so much as wear the same colour.
The first twins we meet in the show are the self named Barbi Twins. Although they have a negative attitude toward their extreme likeness, they show no shame in flaunting their twinship to make money. They both talk about how much they dislike being associated as one unit, and want to be seen as individual identities. However, the pair made their fame, and money, through modelling together and selling themselves as an identical twin package. I am unconvinced that they truly feel so sour about being twins. At one point, Mark asks them about their outfits, to which they claim were not planned, but arrived separately wearing the exact same clothes. I find this very hard to believe. Yes, Rachael and I have been apart and reunited wearing similar outfits, or one item of clothing the same and joked about being a 'twin thing', but the precise choice of accessories, colours and styles lead me to believe that their outfits were planned.
The next people he meets show a completely opposing view of being a twin. Fiat and Fad, Fad meaning twin, are famous in Thailand for marrying the same man. The twins made a pact to stay together forever and share a husband, so this is what they did. Although their marriage is not official due to Thai law, the three live together in Bankok. Mark describes the girls as taking 'the ultimate sacrifice' for twinship. I understand that for most people, meeting a life partner and raising a family is the ultimate fulfilment. However, I feel that for Fiat and Fad they could not have happiness if they were separated. They are already each others life partners. Sharing a husband was their choice and they were in no way pressured to only have one man, or stay together. Although for me, sharing a husband with Rachael would not be the ideal, if it works for them, and they are happy then good for them.
Dug & Phil, Jena & Jil Terry and Linda
The third situation Mark tries to understand is twins marrying twins. Here, he probably chooses one of the more 'extreme'cases, as the twins live together and share their families. The children refer to both sets of parents as mom and dad (mommy Jena, mommy Jil, Daddy Dug, Daddy Phil), blurring the boundaries of the family to create one unit. Although Dug and Phil have distinct separate personalities and independence from each their wives take their twinship a lot more seriously. When together, Jena and Jil become withdrawn from everyone else, whereas Dug and Phil socialise. The woman discuss their youth. They were brought up as a unit and their twin status as encouraged by their mother. However, this lead to extreme competitive behaviour, which often ended in physical fights, which they kept secret from everyone else. I would not consider Rachael and I competitive, we have always been similar with our academic results, but take interest in different things, and so never felt the need to be better than the other. I feel like because of the competative nature of their childhood, Jena and Jil have missed out on the best part of having a twin.
The last segment is about Terry and Linda - 'The Psychic Twins'. Their strong belief is that being a twin has given them great psychic power, which they channel through their bifurcated soul (one soul, 2 bodies). This psychic connection has made the women closer than anyone - 'a nuclear bomb could not destroy our connection'. Although I am sceptical on the psychic side, I do believe that they have a rock solid connection, that could be due to being twins. Growing up together and sharing clothes, identity, experiences, birthdays and lifestyles like twins do plays a huge part in what makes them close and is in my opinion a hard bond to beat.
Mark ends the programme by saying that being a twin means that it is 'written in the script to always be together'. I am not sure weather I agree or disagree with this statement. Yes, a connection is always going to be there, and will be hard for others to penetrate but I do not think we are doomed to be one unit forever. Rachael and I live 200 miles apart and are quite happy running our own, seperate lives just like many other sets of twins. However, I think it is down to the individuals and their personal relationship. If being your twin's life partner is most important, don't let anything stop you. Even if you have to marry the same man, marry twins who understand your bond, or remain spouseless but together, do what makes you happy.
Dolan's aim was to find out whether twins are really as close as they seem. He begins by describing his own perception of twins. To him, the idea of twins conjures up sinister imagery - The Shining, the Crays, holding hands and speaking in unison. He also makes a point that he does not understand why identical twins are doomed to dress the same. I think he makes a valid point here. My mam dressed Rachael and I the same while we were growing up, and only stopped once we were old enough to say we wanted our own styles. I cringe at the thought of Rachael and I being so 'twinny' that past the age of 10 we would own the exact same wardrobe of clothes. I even feel silly if we so much as wear the same colour.
The Barbi Twins Thipawan and Sirintara (Fiat and Fad)
The first twins we meet in the show are the self named Barbi Twins. Although they have a negative attitude toward their extreme likeness, they show no shame in flaunting their twinship to make money. They both talk about how much they dislike being associated as one unit, and want to be seen as individual identities. However, the pair made their fame, and money, through modelling together and selling themselves as an identical twin package. I am unconvinced that they truly feel so sour about being twins. At one point, Mark asks them about their outfits, to which they claim were not planned, but arrived separately wearing the exact same clothes. I find this very hard to believe. Yes, Rachael and I have been apart and reunited wearing similar outfits, or one item of clothing the same and joked about being a 'twin thing', but the precise choice of accessories, colours and styles lead me to believe that their outfits were planned.
The next people he meets show a completely opposing view of being a twin. Fiat and Fad, Fad meaning twin, are famous in Thailand for marrying the same man. The twins made a pact to stay together forever and share a husband, so this is what they did. Although their marriage is not official due to Thai law, the three live together in Bankok. Mark describes the girls as taking 'the ultimate sacrifice' for twinship. I understand that for most people, meeting a life partner and raising a family is the ultimate fulfilment. However, I feel that for Fiat and Fad they could not have happiness if they were separated. They are already each others life partners. Sharing a husband was their choice and they were in no way pressured to only have one man, or stay together. Although for me, sharing a husband with Rachael would not be the ideal, if it works for them, and they are happy then good for them.
The third situation Mark tries to understand is twins marrying twins. Here, he probably chooses one of the more 'extreme'cases, as the twins live together and share their families. The children refer to both sets of parents as mom and dad (mommy Jena, mommy Jil, Daddy Dug, Daddy Phil), blurring the boundaries of the family to create one unit. Although Dug and Phil have distinct separate personalities and independence from each their wives take their twinship a lot more seriously. When together, Jena and Jil become withdrawn from everyone else, whereas Dug and Phil socialise. The woman discuss their youth. They were brought up as a unit and their twin status as encouraged by their mother. However, this lead to extreme competitive behaviour, which often ended in physical fights, which they kept secret from everyone else. I would not consider Rachael and I competitive, we have always been similar with our academic results, but take interest in different things, and so never felt the need to be better than the other. I feel like because of the competative nature of their childhood, Jena and Jil have missed out on the best part of having a twin.
The last segment is about Terry and Linda - 'The Psychic Twins'. Their strong belief is that being a twin has given them great psychic power, which they channel through their bifurcated soul (one soul, 2 bodies). This psychic connection has made the women closer than anyone - 'a nuclear bomb could not destroy our connection'. Although I am sceptical on the psychic side, I do believe that they have a rock solid connection, that could be due to being twins. Growing up together and sharing clothes, identity, experiences, birthdays and lifestyles like twins do plays a huge part in what makes them close and is in my opinion a hard bond to beat.
Mark ends the programme by saying that being a twin means that it is 'written in the script to always be together'. I am not sure weather I agree or disagree with this statement. Yes, a connection is always going to be there, and will be hard for others to penetrate but I do not think we are doomed to be one unit forever. Rachael and I live 200 miles apart and are quite happy running our own, seperate lives just like many other sets of twins. However, I think it is down to the individuals and their personal relationship. If being your twin's life partner is most important, don't let anything stop you. Even if you have to marry the same man, marry twins who understand your bond, or remain spouseless but together, do what makes you happy.
The World’s Most … and Me: Series 3, Episode 2 (2010) The World’s Most Identical Twin and Me. London, Channel 4, April 19 [Documentary: Televised]
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Keyboard Queen, 1994
So, my brother got a keyboard for christmas and I decided to show off my musical talent. Then Rachael joins in and my bossy side comes out. I don't know whether it was because I am the oldest and the biggest, but ever since we could communicate I have been the one in charge. Even now, aged 21, I am protective and bossy when it comes to Rachael and feel like I have to look after her, even though she is perfectly capable of looking after herself!
Sunday 21 August 2011
Maurizio Anzeri
Yesterday, I visited The Baltic Mill in Gateshead, where there was an interesting exhibition of Marizio Anzeri's work. One scultpure (above) was entitiled 'Twins'and was made of synthetic hair and stitch. I can see his inspiration for the work and how he has approached the subject. On the otherhand, perhaps he created the peice and named it afterwards, calling it so due to its symmetry.
Whilst looking further into his work online, I came across this embroidered photographs. Although many of his other stitched found photographs were on display at The Baltic, this one was not. I really like the way he has created a connection between the two people in the photographs. He has obscured their facial features so I can not tell whether they are related or not, but their close bond is very apparent.
Anzeri, M (2010) Twins [synthetic hair, thread] The Baltic Mill
The Tweedles
Probably the most famous twins in literature, Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee are the epitomie of Twins.
- Tweedledum and Tweedledee
- Agreed to have a battle;
- For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
- Had spoiled his nice new rattle.
- Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
- As black as a tar-barrel;
- Which frightened both the heroes so,
- They quite forgot their quarrel.
Even though in the original story line the tweedles are never described as being twins, the were represented as so in Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking-Glass', and this is the image that sticks in everyones minds.
Carroll, having introduced two fat little men named Tweedledum and Tweedledee, quotes the nursery rhyme, which the two brothers then go on to enact. They agree to have a battle, but never have one. When they see a monstrous black crow swooping down, they take to their heels. The Tweedle brothers never contradict each other, even when one of them, according to the rhyme, "agrees to have a battle". Rather, they complement each other's words (Wikipedia, 2011)
And yes, Rachael and I have dressed as the Tweedles as part of a fancy dress parade when we were younger (and won the competition). Unfortunately there is no photographic evidence....shame.
Anon (2011) Tweedledee and Tweedledum [online] Available at: <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweedledum_and_Tweedledee> [Accessed on 12th October 2011]
Saturday 20 August 2011
Christmas Play
The infamous Christmas play. We've all been in one. I'm the angel/fairy (along with Helen - on the end left) and Rachael has a song for herself with Rachel Mole.
Friday 19 August 2011
Damien Hirst
Although I will be the first to admit, I'm not a fan of his work, Damien Hirst has finally produced something that has personal relevance. After much research, I have learned that in 2010, Hirst requested sets of identical twins to sit for periods of four hours under his famous spot paintings as part of the 'Pop Life' exhibition at the Tate Modern. This is a homage to his original 'Ingo, Torsten' shown at Cologne Unfair art fair in 1992 (below). I think this illustrates perfectly peoples fascination with identical twins. Not only did the artisit feel they were an important enough subject to display, but by putting them on display emphasised how people are fascinated with looking at two (or more) people who appear the same.
However, I still can't help but feel that Hirst is 'recreating' art because he has ran out of new ideas, and by doing this peice has recycled 2 art projects to get his name back into the public eye.
Hirst, D (2010) Pop Life: Pheobie, Lydia [online image] Available at: <http://www.flickr.com/photos/artkidtroy/4299378022/> [ Accessed 19th August 2011]
Hirst, D (2010) Pop Life [online image] Available at: <http://www.thewordofward.co.uk/?cat=10> [ Accessed 19th August 2011]
Hirst, D (1992) Ingo, Torsen [online image] Available at: <http://www.artinfo.com/news/enlarged_image/32574/160792/> [Accessed 19th August 2011]
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