Story
Imperfect Truth
Inspired by The Joker and its bizarre but indelible impression, the IMPERFECTION Spring/Summer 2020 collection opens a conversation on art, comedy and truth referencing Aristotle, Rene Descartes and Joseph Beuys.
The Joker is considered one of the most iconic fictional characters in popular culture - he is the archetypal trickster, displaying talents for idiomatic humor, theatrics, all with cunning intelligence.
Although his actions can be deemed evil, The Joker is necessary for cultural robustness. He is the foil to comfort that pushes us to reflection and creation. With a collection presented in 4 books, IMPERFECTION find synergies between the Joker and the works of Aristotle, Descartes and Beuys.
- The Book of Comedy
In Poetics, Aristotle wrote that drama (specifically tragedy) has to include 6 elements: plot, character, thought, diction, music, and spectacle. If one were to juxtapose Aristotle aphorisms on spectacle to today’s penchant for fake news, how easy would it be to recognize The Joker on today’s world stage?
- The Book of Truth
Descartes’ famous quote “I think, therefore I am” became a pillar of Western philosophy. In questioning that today’s young generation is not pushed to think anymore – easy answers through technology – does that mean that we are at risk of becoming our internet persona? Does the Joker exist only through his comedic persona? Which is our true self?
- The Book of The Artist
Joseph Beuys’ art participated in shaping society and politics, or was it more the artist himself? IMPERFECTION find kinship between Joseph Beuys and The Joker’s own artistry. Is society influenced more by the product of art or the artist? Using a portrait of Joseph Beuys by Andy Warhol, this first seasonal capsule questions the validity of pop art without the artist.
- The book of Imperfections
Here we see the joker as trickster and shape shifter. The last capsule of the IMPERFECTION SS20 collection mix and match topics and visuals from the 3 prior books to question:
Who is more real, the thinker or the persona?
Which is more authentic, the actor or the character?
Who is more important, the art or the artist?
Pop Culture icons are born from the collective mind, and often the result of an intellectual exercise. IMPERFECTION’s latest collection sets the basis for a new format for the brand where each collection will use such icons to initiate a contemporary conversation on philosophy, literature and art.
