Simpson Response

I like to think that the messages that Simpson tries to send are similar to those of Neshat, but through quite different styles. The main emphasis I feel that she tries to get across is the formation of identity, especially those identities during times of oppression and struggle; she proves art as a great form of advocacy. I think most people would agree, though, that her most unique feature to her work is that the subjects in her pieces do not indeed reveal their faces. If I remember correctly, the New York Times article stated that this is because it makes the subjects more vulnerable, and I agree with this to some extent, but I also believe another purpose could be because the fact that a face is not shown that one will concentrate more on what the subject is doing; it could make the message in which Simpson is trying to get across more clear.
I think my favorite piece of Simpson’s that I saw is entitled “East to Remember,” and actually my favorite part about the piece is how it is called “Easy to Remember.” My interpretation may be a bit off, but I feel like the piece is basically saying that we make so many associations and assumptions based off of the way people look. By putting a bunch of faces next to one another and cutting everything out but the lips it becomes easier to see just how hard it is to make these same associations without an entire face.