THREAD BARE
EVE TRAVIS
13 – 27 MARCH, 2021
For this InTheWindow exhibition, we have worked with current Staffordshire University Fine Art Undergraduate, Eve Travis, on her professional practice module placement. Eve has shadowed us on all aspects of our InTheWindow programme, from the initial Open Call, viewing and selection of received proposals, install and documentation of Pajdak and Bang's Fragile Economies, and now applying that learning to a proposal for her own show - Thread Bare.
Thread Bare explores the relationship between our outward appearance and our true identity. A sculptural self-portrait in the form of a mask made from performance traces is suspended in an installation which will act as a stage for scheduled durational performances. Using deconstructed and reconstructed discarded make-up wipes to create a face covering, the artist plays with ideas of self-presentation, societal pressure, visibility, and disempowerment. Performing within the space allows for further exploration of this. Performance typically allows the performer to be disguised, taking on other identities to convey a story or a message, however in this case the artist intends to dissect and display their authentic self through a performance of masking and mask removal. This work seeks to encourage viewers to discuss identity, and critique gender expectations and unrealistic beauty standards. Provoking questions about the metaphorical masks we all wear, for who, where and why.
PERFORMANCE #1
BARED FACE
20 MARCH, 2021 12pm – 1pm
Bared Face is an experimental durational performance in which the artist will apply and remove make-up to explore the actions of masking and unmasking. Taking place in and alongside the Thread Bare installation #InTheWindow at AirSpace Gallery, this performance seeks to explore the relationship between performance art, theatrical performance and the performances of our everyday lives.
With an art space acting as a stage viewed from a city centre street, Bared Face will act as an intersection of the three performance types and their corresponding spaces. Furthermore, this performance hopes to investigate, critique and provoke discussion about gender performativity, gender expectations and the use of masking and make-up for both empowerment and disempowerment.
PERFORMANCE #2
BOUND UNBOUND
27 MARCH, 2021 12pm
BOUND UNBOUND is an experimental durational performance in which the artist will bind their face and head in a length of material made from traces of previous performance personas. This performance seeks to investigate the constraint of societal expectations and performativity through binding and being bound. Using a material associated with those constrictions, the used make-up wipes from various personas.
The artist hopes to dissect their identity through the actions of display and disguise with a view to critiquing and provoking conversation about gender expectations and gender performativity, whilst exploring the intersection between theatrical performance, performance art and performance in everyday life. Finally, they will disrupt, unsuspend and de-install the work after animating the space in this second and final performance in and alongside the Thread Bare installation InTheWindow.
Eve Travis is a multidisciplinary artist currently exploring work consisting of a combination of textiles, costume, sculpture, performance and performance traces with a view to investigating identity and gender performativity. Studying Fine Art at Staffordshire University whilst working as an entertainer, character actor and circus performer, she seeks to discover how costume and character creation can become art, dissecting the intersection of theatrical performance and live art whilst exploring the boundary of what exactly constitutes as a ‘stage’ in creative spaces. Coming from a performance background informs her contemplation of performativity, masking and identity. Her personal experiences of performing on and off stage, both intentionally and otherwise, fuel and influence her line of enquiry. Her practice is inspired by artists like Ann Hamilton, Kevin Beasley, Rebecca Horn and Louise Bourgeois as well as the writing of gender theorist Judith Butler.
@evedearbhailart
Thread Bare explores the relationship between our outward appearance and our true identity. A sculptural self-portrait in the form of a mask made from performance traces is suspended in an installation which will act as a stage for scheduled durational performances. Using deconstructed and reconstructed discarded make-up wipes to create a face covering, the artist plays with ideas of self-presentation, societal pressure, visibility, and disempowerment. Performing within the space allows for further exploration of this. Performance typically allows the performer to be disguised, taking on other identities to convey a story or a message, however in this case the artist intends to dissect and display their authentic self through a performance of masking and mask removal. This work seeks to encourage viewers to discuss identity, and critique gender expectations and unrealistic beauty standards. Provoking questions about the metaphorical masks we all wear, for who, where and why.
PERFORMANCE #1
BARED FACE
20 MARCH, 2021 12pm – 1pm
Bared Face is an experimental durational performance in which the artist will apply and remove make-up to explore the actions of masking and unmasking. Taking place in and alongside the Thread Bare installation #InTheWindow at AirSpace Gallery, this performance seeks to explore the relationship between performance art, theatrical performance and the performances of our everyday lives.
With an art space acting as a stage viewed from a city centre street, Bared Face will act as an intersection of the three performance types and their corresponding spaces. Furthermore, this performance hopes to investigate, critique and provoke discussion about gender performativity, gender expectations and the use of masking and make-up for both empowerment and disempowerment.
PERFORMANCE #2
BOUND UNBOUND
27 MARCH, 2021 12pm
BOUND UNBOUND is an experimental durational performance in which the artist will bind their face and head in a length of material made from traces of previous performance personas. This performance seeks to investigate the constraint of societal expectations and performativity through binding and being bound. Using a material associated with those constrictions, the used make-up wipes from various personas.
The artist hopes to dissect their identity through the actions of display and disguise with a view to critiquing and provoking conversation about gender expectations and gender performativity, whilst exploring the intersection between theatrical performance, performance art and performance in everyday life. Finally, they will disrupt, unsuspend and de-install the work after animating the space in this second and final performance in and alongside the Thread Bare installation InTheWindow.
Eve Travis is a multidisciplinary artist currently exploring work consisting of a combination of textiles, costume, sculpture, performance and performance traces with a view to investigating identity and gender performativity. Studying Fine Art at Staffordshire University whilst working as an entertainer, character actor and circus performer, she seeks to discover how costume and character creation can become art, dissecting the intersection of theatrical performance and live art whilst exploring the boundary of what exactly constitutes as a ‘stage’ in creative spaces. Coming from a performance background informs her contemplation of performativity, masking and identity. Her personal experiences of performing on and off stage, both intentionally and otherwise, fuel and influence her line of enquiry. Her practice is inspired by artists like Ann Hamilton, Kevin Beasley, Rebecca Horn and Louise Bourgeois as well as the writing of gender theorist Judith Butler.
@evedearbhailart
