Unveiling the Mask Series
A classical theme through art history, Gadi explores masks as pretense in human relationships and in daily human interactions. “It’s a very true saying, that ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players’, which with age I understand more and more. Everyone hides behind masks.” What is unusual and touching about Gadi’s take on masks is that he shows an accepting and understanding side to masks through his works, rather than only the more critical connotations of pretense. “Falsity is not necessarily a bad thing. When a person does not want to reveal himself or tell you about his mood and just says everything is okay, that’s fine; it’s not a negative thing. We don’t always outwardly express our emotions, and when we choose not to, we wear masks.” His mask sculptures depict couples who are very close, touching and dancing. There is a lot of movement, their bodies are connecting; they are separated only by a thin veil of masks. It becomes a sort of play, the separation a mere fraction compared to the love that is shared between the two bodies.