Subject And Object

This is a documentation of a performance investigating the nature of costume as a performative space. Here ‘The Peacock At The Met Museum’ the work put on the body of Nikhil Chopra is employed to redirect my work through the investigation of who is the subject, who is the object? The process of manipulation of space as the act of sculpture, and the body becoming secondary central to the visual impact of the work, implying a relationship between the volumes of the static figure. The costume becomes living sculptural form blurring the boundary between clothing, who or what is the site of display. Empowering the costume structure. This work stitched and produced appropriates the garment structure of the abaya. The abaya is a garment to cover the body as an act of discretion worn by women practising the religion of Islam. The concept of the abaya as a structural garment in the act of concealment of the body to provoke the antithesis of object and subject. As is, muslim dress as concealment and covering the body problematises concealing in public spaces. Simultaneously I am also challenging the notions of collaboration, power relations of institutionalisation and artwork where validation of art is through site of display as exhibition.