GOPI
Gopi (2015)
Performance
Garment and Installation: Silk organza, felt, muslin, cochineal dye, quebracho dye, osage orange dye, polypropylene rope, lotus pods, peacock feathers, thread. Audio and soil.
Performance
Garment and Installation: Silk organza, felt, muslin, cochineal dye, quebracho dye, osage orange dye, polypropylene rope, lotus pods, peacock feathers, thread. Audio and soil.
During time spent in India, I observed varying treatment of both women and animals. The shared maternalistic qualities between women and cows were very clear: care for the family, provide nutrition, bear the burden of agriculture and bear offspring. Women were vulnerable in public spaces where cows exist safely. Cattle are symbols, protected by this elevated status.
Sasha Farm Animal Sanctuary in Manchester, MI graciously offered to work with the me on this project. They volunteered Shania, the barren Jersey cow. "Shania will probably work: she was easygoing, docile and very sweet."
Shania refused to be a symbol. She bucked off the garment I’d created for her. This foreign object piqued the curiosity of the herd and they inspected, ate, chewed and salivated on the object. I realized the folly in my plan; I failed to consider the sensory experience of cows. They willfully engaged when the object was presented to them in a nonthreatening manner.
Special thanks to SASHA Farm Animal Sanctuary, Holly Hughes, Annica Cuppetelli and Emily Schiffer for their generosity of time, knowledge and counsel.
