Safe & Sexy documents women in the public space in two modes; one for comfort, one for attraction. Through portraits, interviews and audio, I explore how social conventions, economic structures, personal history and location shape our visual and psychological landscape. This seemingly simplistic approach invokes a complex dialogue on the layered realities of individuals navigating a terrain of vulnerability, power, comfort and attraction.
The women choose their outfits and a location familiar to them.
One persona does not exclude the other- at times interchangeable or the same. The diptych presents a dual ‘first impression’ and highlights that a woman’s appearance and body language function as a barometer for their level of interactivity with those around them. These portraits reference both an anthropological survey and mainstream media’s fascination with self-transformation through "before and after" advertisements and TV programs.
This project developed out of a performance series titled, Do You Have the Time?, where I asked people on the street for the time while in various characters; businesswoman, trashy slut, jogger, etc. I asked the same question in a variety of locations to observe the response based upon my appearance and persona.
I plan to continue Safe & Sexy in a few additional parts of the world with the intention of publishing the series as a book. I also look forward to expanding the project by working with men and exploring themes of comfort, power and masculinity.
Locations:
South Africa & Swaziland - 2010
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 2009
New York City – 2007: ongoing
Canada: Winnipeg, Quebec, Halifax, Toronto – 2006
Sweden: Stockholm, Skellefteå – 2001
USA: San Francisco, San Jose CA - 1999/2000