Matthew Schlagbaum

Beards

I recently went to see Matthew Schlagbaum’s Beards exhibition in the center gallery. He was showing a series of photographs of himself wearing beards made up of different materials, all of which were supposed to represent masculinity; things such as used chewing tobacco, peanut shells, dirt and steel wool. In doing so he is exploring the social construction of masculinity, and expressing his own feelings of inability to live up to masculine ideals. The show also seemed to be commenting on how masculinity is something you have to grow and maintain, the way you would manicure a beard, also saying that masculinity can be easily taken away if not protected. He addresses the beards as if they were masks that alter his perceived masculinity. Not only did he have photographs of himself wearing the beards, but he included the actual beards hanging on the wall. I thought this show was a good combination of photography and sculpture.