I was one of the selected artists of the IFFTI [International Fashion Foundation] Polimoda Conference 2015, held in Florence, Italy, and in 2016 in Venice, Italy during the Venice Architecture Biennal.

The work that was selected is ‘INTERVENING SPACE: Reframing conventions’, which is still highly relevant today. This work is about my query into the convention of ‘sitting’. I noticed that a huge portion of my day was spent sitting down. This behavior is a reflection and consequence of the Western societal conditioning, largely experienced in the office-culture. I translated this routine into a performance by magnifying, repeating and isolating the act of sitting. During the performance I am seated on the same chair for a period of eight hours straight without performing any other human action. Becoming aware of one’s body is a fundamental pillar in this respect. 

Exhibition work, click here to see the performance video.

INSTALLATION AND LIVE PERFORMANCE, ITALY
I created a new installation and added an extra value within my space that was located in the beautiful, historical Opera di Santa Croce in the old city centre of Florence. As always, the realization of my installation and performance was guided by the space and architecture that was available.

I made a combination between the original performance and the video in dialogue with the real; the exact same situation and live performance. I added an interactive part in which there was the option for visitors to come sit with me, on the opposite side of the ticking clock. In attempt to let people really feel within their bodies what it feels like to sit down, and to make them realize [through the ticking clock] that we are doing this for 6 to 8 to 11 hours per day. Confrontation via me.

Amongst others, like Diane Pernet, Patrick de Muynck and Jane Rapley, I was also part of the last ‘In conversation with’ panel discussion about fashion, design and education. Watch the compilation here.

An indication of my 12 meters large installation at Opera di Santa Croce:

EYE X MICHELANGELO ANTONIONI EXHIBITION
For the opening of the exhibition about Michelangelo Antonioni at EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, I specifically focused on boredom and the experience of time to this existing concept. In advance, I got interviewed by the EYE EXPOSED team. Read the full interview here [sorry, only in Dutch]. 

© Lisette Ros