Robert Smith by iri5 via Flickr
Yes, it’s exactly what you think it is. Self-taught artist iri5 has ripped out the innards of cassettes and molded them into the likenesses of musicians. The original cassettes remain intact, serving as vessels not unlike Aladdin’s magic lamp.
Robert Smith, pictured here, is joined by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and others in a series entitled “Ghost in the Machine.” The collection, which also includes a few portraits of Hollywood icons made from old film reels, can be viewed at iri5’s Flickr gallery. Iri5 explains the inspiration behind her art:
The idea comes from a philosopher’s (Ryle) description of how your spirit lives in your body. I imagine we are all, like cassettes, thoughts wrapped up in awkward packaging.
I’ll end with some good news and some bad news. The good news: she accepts commissions! The bad news: completely out of my price range (prices start at around $700). But if you’ve got the cash, visit iri5’s website and get yourself one of the most interesting pieces of art made with reused materials ever, music-related or otherwise.
Rockin' in the Green World 