Igor Josifov, USA: Face it 1, Face it 2, Manumission

In “Face It,” the body is used to communicate my childhood experiences with Macedonian society. I adapted horse blinders for a human head and covered them with burned iconography of Christian and Muslim religions. When these two images were installed facing each other, the tension in the space between these two religions was visible and more literal.
"In the beginning of my performance I use the head as the primary medium for demonstrating a certain emotion. In the first part I wear the Christian mask and put myself into the state of mind that would reflect a Christian point of view and ideology. After that I wear the Muslim mask with the same mental transformation.  I use the energy projected by the audience, absorbing their anxiety, confusion and restlessness. It's a thick and heavy atmosphere as is the subject of religious differences. The performance merges this all together into one larger energy….
people are now forced to think. I remove the mask and then turn my back and cut the shoulder blades on my back with a razor blade. It is my desire to become neutral….to be in between religions as I stand between the iconic photographs.
The incisions cause blood to drip in almost a wing-like nature. The performance begins to feel almost messianic in its message. They have a metaphoric meaning of freedom from both religions.
In fact from all religions."