PROVENANCE:
Batman Mask was done for the San Francisco Art Institute, to be raffled off at a formal Benefit Masked Ball.
The Institute's idea was to have its students and other artists do their riff on the theme: "mask"; and then
donate their work free to benefit the educational institution. Their lagniappe would be admission to the Ball.
Made the mask. (Hand-sawed the scallops during the "89 earthquake power outage.) Gave it to the institute. Came time to go to the Ball, however, it turned out that the drinks-and-dinner portion was for patrons only! Artists were invited strictly after-dinner, for coffee and to meet (entertain) their betters.
This artist expressed shock. Shock, I tell you (despite a sinking feeling of deja vu all over again). Not to worry, said the Institute -- formal attire was not expected of artists. Black T-shirt, black jeans, and white sneakers would do just fine. This would preserve the black-and-white formality of the occasion. (It would also, of course, preserve the upstairs/downstairs protocols their moneyed patrons were accustomed to expect. And it would be pedagogically beneficial: good training for the students, as fledgling artists, in showing them their place.)
The artist, in high B-list dudgeon, demurred. The Institute kept the mask, but graciously accorded reimbursement for paint, scrap metal, masking tape, and hacksaw blades. Labor? Forgeddaboudit.
OWNER:
Name not vouchsafed to artist. Although I am told the winner of the mask "flipped" it that night for cash.
The Institute has its pedagogy. Here's mine:
(1) Don't give your art away
(2) Illegitimati non carborundum