a quick walkthrough of the installation
slippage/spillage, 2024
video, plastic bags, tarp, vinyl hose, red pigment, liquid latex
this art installation explores themes of memory, relationships, dependency, and growth through the materiality of the body and fluids. it delves into the concept of "prohibited desire," focusing on the boundaries we set, respect, and transgress, particularly in relation to memory. the work examines how memory acts as both a boundary and a means of engagement with the past, highlighting the body as an archive for those memories. the materiality of the body—especially fluids—is key to understanding the dynamics of desire, trauma, and boundary violations. through the metaphor of "slippage," the installation considers how friction and control can give way to loss, both physically and mentally. this slippage extends to the body, memory, and the passage of time, inviting reflection on how desire and memory distort our perceptions. Imagery of “sinews”, “punctures”, and “abscesses” further enriches the exploration, symbolizing rupture, silence, and the painful buildup of tension beneath the surface. these symbols speak to the complex relationship between presence and absence, voice and silence, and the unresolved nature of trauma.
detail
i’m particularly interested in the moments and processes by which boundaries are set, respected, and violated. this concept feels especially poignant when considering how memory itself can act as a boundary, shaping our engagement with the past, and positioning the body as both a repository and a site of memory. this leads me to think about how the materiality of the body, especially in relation to fluids, holds these boundaries. fluids, in particular, are powerful symbols of desire, trauma, and transmission, particularly in sexual contexts. how does memory, with its weight and substance, ground itself in the body? how do boundaries slip, and where does desire fit into this dynamic?
i’m fascinated by the friction that occurs between control and slippage—the point at which boundaries are either maintained or undone. how do the body, mind, and memory interact in this exchange, and how does desire disrupt or amplify it? at what point does the disconnect between body and mind serve us, and when does it become dangerous? this brings me to a broader exploration of the rigidity and looseness of bodies, memory, and time—how they can be both constrained and fluid. additionally, concepts of "punctures" and "abscesses" have emerged as symbolic imagery within the work. "puncture" evokes ideas of leakage, fragmentation, and hollowing out, acting as a metaphor for both trauma and the ways in which silence punctuates sound, or unspoken words punctuate those that are spoken. similarly, the word "abscess" brings to mind swelling, pain, and tension, and connects with the idea of "absence." abscesses are painful, fluid-filled buildups under the surface—an apt metaphor for hidden trauma and the wounds that rise to the surface, ready to burst. these images, both physical and emotional, will be explored as they relate to the complex boundaries between body, memory, and desire.