A woman’s clothing restricts and shapes perceptions of her identity. This exhibition catalogs 56 days of performance, throughout which Soriano examined the struggle to resist or accept gender roles within the confines of her relationship.
University of Denver, Electronic Media Arts Design MFA Thesis Exhibition by Sarah Soriano.
Opening reception Friday, October 2nd from 6 to 9pm at
Flobots.org Community Space, 2705 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205.
Open Fridays & Saturdays, 2–6 pm (other days by appointment).
Map of Location
View daily archives of the 56 day performance.
Press Release
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56 Days: I'm Still Here - Artist Statement
My work uses the body as an emotional carrier to illustrate the difficulty of shedding memories from the past in order to move on. The process of adaptation, of mental resistance, and the search for clarity and understanding motivates and inspires my work. 56 Days: I’m Still Here, is a performance that explores these processes by reflecting on my personal experience as a military spouse resisting and submitting to gender roles within my relationship.
The work includes a woman’s business suit that is a public representation of strength. The suit illustrates a desired identity that I struggle to preserve – that of an independent and career oriented woman. During 56 days, that identity becomes increasingly difficult to maintain and slowly tarnishes as the original suit transforms. The garment and performance exposes the oscillation of the relationship during an 8-week period as each layer reflects the success of each daily interaction. For 56 days, each day was assessed and a piece of fabric was hand sewn to the original suit. The suit consists of black and gray fabric layers that illustrate positive or negative interactions.
The suit is juxtaposed with a private representation of vulnerability. I stand close to the viewer wearing a nightgown that becomes increasingly stressed with time. The viewer’s position takes the place of the spouse where aural interaction transforms the gown. This exemplifies the relationship between sound, tension and a transparent connection between one and the other. The gown is a symbol of sensitivity that has accumulated over the 56 day performance. Each garment represents a metamorphosis where I struggle to compose a professional public demeanor that is linked with an intimate portrayal of increased vulnerability.
