Invention of a Dream 1960

Richard Oelze's 'Invention of a Dream' presents a disturbing collective of monstrous heads. The clustered faces suggest a descent into the subconscious, a realm populated by distorted and nightmarish figures. Consider the pervasive motif of the mask: throughout history, masks have served as potent symbols, concealing and revealing aspects of identity. From ancient theatrical traditions to tribal rituals, masks evoke transformation and hidden truths. In Oelze's work, the faces are not merely visages but masks that hint at deeper psychological complexities. These faces bear traces of the uncanny, echoing the grotesque masks found in ancient Greek theater, where exaggerated features amplified emotional states. Just as those masks channeled the emotions of tragedy and comedy, Oelze's faces express the anxieties and repressed desires of the unconscious. They are a collective embodiment of our deepest fears, a mirror reflecting the darkest corners of the human psyche. Through the lens of cultural memory, we see the masks evolving, resurfacing in various forms, and constantly shifting in meaning. Oelze's Invention of a Dream is a poignant exploration of how these primordial symbols continue to haunt our collective consciousness, and how those faces elicit profound emotional responses, tapping into primal layers of our being.