Mark v. Mark: Photography and Video by Mark Lee Morris

In this show, Mark Lee Morris playfully addressed the psychology of self-reflection by depicting himself in multiple as his own opponent, partner, witness, lover, or some combination thereof.

In a series of photographs, Morris depicted himself as a (poor) modern dancer, assuming several poses simultaneously: Mark lifting Mark, Mark catching Mark, Mark balancing Mark. He played his own counterpart, his equal, his safety, and his own crowd to get lost in. In two videos, he employed the conventions of the television game show to compete against himself—one involving an attempt to win a chance to take himself on a date. The videos were absurd send-ups, which mocked the artificial enthusiasm of television and, at times, degenerated into crude obscenities. In a third video, Morris competed with himself in a poker match, bluffing himself, trying to read his own expression, and narrating the drama of the game in a voice-over. Through body language, the players staged the diverse attitudes we adopt towards ourselves, and confirmed that at least part of our character is inherently unchangeable.