Intermedia Senior Exhibition: Into the Blue
Held spring 2008 at ASU's Gallery 100. My work consisted of two artist books, an installation and an interactive live art performance on the opening night. The book
It is titled Backwards, but then Forwards. Again. Close, Personal and Naked. Edition of 11. Contains text and image. The text is personal journal writing about my private and vulnerable cope, struggle and healing. The images are of my nude body, head to toe, copied on a xerox machine. The sequence reveals my writing as it "unfolds" between each copy of my body. This is perhaps the most open and honest work I have ever created in which I incorporate my private life into my art. Did I mention private?
The Performance
This requires a participant to get a beaker containing water and a clear bowl then sit on a stool, all which I provide. Then the shoes come off and I print the bottom the participant's bare feet with the xerox machine onto vellum paper. I place the print on a large rectangular 1 foot pedestal then hand wash one of the participant's feet with soap and water and then the other, letting everything drip into the clear bowl. One participant at a time with a total of five.
The display
The one week display was an installation of the residue of each person's soap/dirt/water in a clear bowl with the image of the printed feet underneath it.
The concept
The act of doing something for another was beneficial for me by taking any focus off of my SELF. Yet I think it was a selfish because it was benefiting ME. Very awkward. I like that. My intent was to inspire hope.
The participants
Maureen McCabe, Joel Carter, Cesar Tafoya, Cody Dean and Katerina Dimitrova. In that order.
