The Secret Self

The Secret Self portrays the ambiguous relation of individuals to modern (city) life. The term ‘secret self’ is derived from the acclaimed documentary series The Century of the Self (2002) by Adam Curtis and refers to a hidden part of the self in which lies a persons’ true identity. Appealing to the ‘secret self’ has been the essence of modern marketing and political strategies for almost a century. Adam Curtis demonstrates how these strategies successfully led to wealth and prosperity, but at the same time seem to have created a society of isolated individuals: the tragedy of modern life.

In The Secret Self, artists reflect on the modern human condition. Behind the smooth exterior of the modern lifestyle, an intricate web of opinions, interests, roles, pressures and choices emerges. The artists share an interest in social maladjustment. Observing from the sidelines, they expose their own ‘secret selves’ as well as those of modern society.