Sand, thread, netting, performance | In collaboration with Çaglar Tahiroglu
Introverted | Extraverted (2018) is a participative performance exploring the economic and societal pressure for women artists to create. It responded to the theme ‘future of the artist studio’ as part of the Tate Exchange with Central Saint Martins. The performance took place over 7 hours at the Tate Modern (January 2018). Following the initial set-up of the materials, the performance was entirely spontaneous.
Externally, the woman feels compelled to create in an almost mechanical manner, represented by the production of the vibrant, geometric mandala using coloured sand. Internally, the woman feels trapped by societal demands and economic necessities, highlighted by the figure erratically weaving thread through a net hanging in the centre. She cannot get out without ruining the sand mandala. Viewers are invited to participate in the sand play, however, neither performer speaks. After 7 hours, the sand mandala is destroyed.
