The mask is the mirror of the soul

Artistic reflections on the changing digital role of the face and the mask

Abstract

The study examines the complex relation between the human face and the mask in the context of digital technologies and visual culture, as well as through the analysis of some selected artworks. In this interpretation, the face is not merely an expression of identity, but also a social construction and a medial surface. Technological advancements – particularly the use of artificial intelligence in genetic profiling and facial recognition systems – significantly influence how we interpret the face. The mentioned artworks adopt a critical approach to the ethical questions raised by such technologies. Heather Dewey-Hagborg’s works, such as Stranger Visions and Probably Chelsea, highlight how facial reconstructions based on biometric traces reinforce existing social stereotypes. Meanwhile, Trevor Paglen’s projects investigate the ethical and political implications of image databases used in training artificial intelligence. The study also addresses the question whether emotions can be rendered legibly on the face and explores the role of “digital masks” generated by social media culture in the processes of identity formation and self-representation.