This semester, I’ve been pushing myself to find my voice in my writing as well as in my performance. This project folder will be a little different than the others… Partly because I’m returning back to some of the theories I pulled from during my last year of undergrad. Particularly in the importance of the memory of an experience. For that reason, I’m choosing not to post as much video documentation performance work. I’m exploring, instead, how photo documentation can give performance a new life as a separate/stand alone idea. We’ll see. It’s mostly writing.
GRWM (in-person installation)
February 2020
This piece, titled specifically as “(in-person installation)” was my vision for the installation portion of my MFA Thesis Exhibition. Unfortunately, the in-person version of that has been cancelled… But an update will be posted as soon as the online version of that is published/announced!
In this installation, foundation was used — and lightened as I worked my way down the wall — to write a text speaking about beauty standards in America in relation to assimilation. The writing for this will not be published yet… I am on the fence about this text because it needs a lot more work… But I hope to install this piece one day in the future! The in person experience is much different than you would expect.
Check MFA Year 2: Fall 2019 for the first iteration of this video piece, specifically made for the internet and social media culture!
Help Me Get Ready
March 2020
This piece lives as a proposal at the moment. Because of the virus, it never was brought fully into the light… So for now, it will stay empty as a reminder and homage to the fact that it would have been here otherwise… I might post photos of the first test of this piece, but it is deeply upsetting to think about this piece not getting to happen during my MFA Thesis exhibition, so for now this will do. Maybe one day you’ll find it in a later project folder. Check back in later if you’d like! I’ve included the monologue in the Writing section, so I’d love for you to take a look at that! That is all I have to offer for now…
COVID-19
Please stay safe. At this point, I have lost access to my studio because SAIC is closed. I am “working from home” and taking online classes. Please check this blog post for resources. I’ll be adding things to it as I find more. I’m going to try and compile as much information as I can, but if you know of something I haven’t listed, please let me know. I’ll make it as comprehensive as I can.
Otherwise, I’m attempting to make work at home still… It currently isn’y going that well, but I’m going to keep trying. For these, I’m working with old make up and other supplies I can find at home. If you have any old foundation/bb cream/etc. send me a message. I’d love it if you could send it to me so I can have a comprehensive color range.
******Everything is wiped down before use, and none of the materials are used on my own face. All make up will be applied to paper or other non-living surfaces******
Portrait Foundations
March – April 2020
These are extremely rough sample images of a new though. A new experiment that I’ve been working on as I’ve been stuck in isolation… Materials used are black paper, foundation (make up product), and Clorox Bleach. More updates to come soon. But thinking about make up, identity, and erasure.
Writing
Jan. 2020 – April 2020
On the following pages are my poems, free writes, and other experiments in writing so far.
Page Guide
Page 2: Self-Portrait
Page 3: Hyphen
Page 4: “What do you remember about the Earth?”
Page 5: A Language That Opened My Mouth
Page 6: Help Me Get Ready: Monologue
Page 7: A Color I Can’t Escape
Reva Kashikar 