|
|
|
|
     
|
Mel Donohoe, White Girl 17 December 2005 – 14 January 2006 Public involvement formed a major part of the show from performance-based artist Mel Donohoe when she took to the Artists' Space. Previous projects had included using her own body as a canvas to disorientate viewers and cast sinister shadows over familiar sites. Mel took the space to new levels. First by importing three tons of soil to fill the room and then by begins a process of whitewashing clothes - both elements became integral to her work. All the while she used the walls of the space to record her thoughts and feelings about the process, and struggle, to create a new culture. Her work in the artist space culminated in her performance. A moving and highly charged performance piece held on Thursday 12 January 6.30pm. This Artist Performance saw people move into the artist space individually to confront Mel who stood, calmly among the material culture she had created. The performance lasted over an hour as particpants became bolder, at one point stting fire to some of the objects in the space. It ended, paradoxically, with Mel - raised as a Catholic now eager to remove herself from her religious up bringing - surrounded by candles placed by the participants. The artist, attempting to remove the culture of religious idolitary had herself become the idol in an achingly beautiful piece.
Mel Donohoe, Performance, firstsite artist space, January 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||
