Artist Puts a Face on CMU Film Festival
This year’s International Film Festival, titled “Faces of Identity,” has a face of its own.
Commissioned by festival director Jolanta Lion, local artist Baron Batch has created a piece of artwork that portrays this year’s festival theme. In four weeks the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back produced a sculpture of an elongated, curved face about six feet tall that he thinks will be somewhat of a mirror to those viewing it.
“How you respond to what you see is actually a reflection of you,” Batch said.
The sculpture’s surface is painted to look like the universe with a web of colorful string carefully stretched over its features. The eyes are circular mirrors, silver candle tops with a new reflective purpose.
“When I was asked to make a piece of art that reflected my views on what identity is, as an artist, that was something I took very seriously,” said Batch.
"As I kept searching for what I believe identity to be I realized that I didn’t know," he said. "I came to the conclusion that identity is a certain amount of the unknown."
Batch’s creation has been moved to different public spaces on campus and has intrigued students to take a closer look. Some have discovered the message on the back: “identity is a self reflection of chaos.”
Lauralei Kraski, assistant director of the festival, called the sculpture an “inspiration of thoughtfulness.”
Batch will host a viewing of his artwork and a Q&A at 7 p.m., Friday, March 31 in the Cohon University Center’s McConomy Auditorium. The film festival runs March 23 through April 9.
View the complete festival schedule, watch the films' trailers and reserve tickets