An Evolving Struggle : The Cure

This thesis received the arts and sciences undergraduate research scholarship.I am fascinated with how the body is affected by internal and external factors that define how the body responds to the duality of compression. This duality is seen in positive terms through support, and in negative terms through constriction and stress. The interaction of the body’s response determines the predisposition and appearance of disease. Within my work, series of multiple, similar objects are created that demonstrate my interest in the performative act of caring for others. Subtleties and nuances in one inform the next, and ideas continually evolve through disassembling and abstracting objects in order to refine and enhance them. As objects are introduced to methods of stress, their reactions are recorded. I am able to use the potential of malleable ceramic material to mimic the body’s ability to adapt to stress and abuse and create a record of performative acts explored in terms of the ritual and the mundane. Ritual is examined by creating objects that reflect special care and preparation that is taken to care for a person like when a bodily specimen is prepared for analysis. Mundane is examined by incorporating tools of everyday care, like a q-tip. These interests guide the creation and progression of performance and the means tools are utilized to create a personal semiology.Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research ScholarshipNo embargoAcademic Major: Ar