Double Mirror: An Allegory of Contemporary Self

In this work, the transformation of materials is not merely physical but also psychological. The soft inner layers (cotton, burlap) are wrapped and sealed repeatedly, ultimately forming a hardened surface. This transition from within to without serves as a psychological metaphor for contemporary individuals: under social pressure, one constructs a defensive shell to adapt to external scrutiny.

Freud, in The Ego and the Id, posited that the ego is the product of mediation between the superego and the id. In modern society, individuals continuously shape their self-image to conform to the moral norms and societal expectations of the superego, while the true id remains concealed beneath layers of suppression. This work expresses such inner struggles through the contrast between its smooth exterior and irregular inner texture—suggesting that, in the societal mirror, what we perceive is not our true selves but a refined and altered “second self.”

The two nested squares establish a “mirror relationship,” evoking Lacan’s Mirror Stage Theory. In early childhood development, self-identity is formed through mirror recognition; in contrast, modern individuals become trapped in the gaze of an externalized self. The outer frame symbolizes the social framework, while the irregular inner form represents the distortions an individual undergoes in adapting to these structures. The silver sheen of the surface draws attention yet acts as an impenetrable barrier—we see only a projected illusion, not the essence of the self.

The “whiteness” in this work is not a symbol of purity but carries a cold, reflective critique. Contemporary society values perfection, rationality, and control, yet in the pursuit of these ideals, individuals often lose touch with their authentic emotions. The fluidity of the silver pigment, contrasted with its final solidified state, mirrors the socialization process of personality formation—seemingly stable, yet concealing past transformations and struggles.

This is not merely a sculptural piece but a psychological mirror, prompting the viewer to reflect: Have we lost ourselves in society’s reflection? Beneath the rigid, polished surface, does warmth, softness, and authenticity still remain?