Hair, as an extension of the central nervous system, has always been perceived as something somewhat insignificant and even trivial within the concept of “body” and “sense”. However, hair has also long been almost weaponized in a way that shapes the subconscious narrative within identity, gender, class, and queerness.
In the vein of Bruised Bodies, Fertile Ground, the hypothesis of manifesting hair as body itself, as sense(s), as flesh and skin is established. Extracting the animalistic essence of “hair” from a both human and non-human context, hair becomes fur, feather, and a crucial sensor in survival, perception, and indicative signals.
In Bruised Bodies, Fertile Ground, the collection stems from various human body parts and external organs - body, skin, neck, genital. To achieve and mimic the textuality of each hair representation, the use of metal pieces and wires come in for a better manipulation of hair as a textile - as well as a metaphorical symbol of veins that essentially reanimates hair as a living and breathing being.
Advised by: Laura Anderson Barbata (MIT ACT)