MERCAN DEDE-the downfall of mickey

The Downfall of Mickey I

Mickey Mouse and the Statue of Liberty are among the axiomatic symbols of American culture. A composite of both characters poses, unaware of the inevitability of her own downfall. She clutches the tablet marking our freedom as her torch sinks. She is ignorant of the presence of the mandala behind her. The spiritual geometric configurations of the cosmos. It is as if the mandala will swallow her, the gates will close, and there will finally be a karmic balance.

The Downfall of Mickey II  

The ancient art of marbling, or ‘Ebru’, represents spiritual connectedness. The word ‘Ebru’ means water surface. The artist floats the various colors in a shallow tray, using an ink brush to alter the movement of the colors and create shapes. The ebru artist finds their reflection in each monotype.

As if disillusioned, the composite of Mickey Mouse and Lady Liberty turns her back to the ebru designs, turning on herself but at the same time, watching a piece of her struggle to stay afloat in the dark waters.