This photographs depict the RESHAPING interactive textile sculptures. The concept behind this photoshoot illustrates a universe constructed almost exclusively from fundamentally feminine products (in this case referring to textile products), in which household responsibilities are still disproportionately allocated and predominantly fall on women. This is metaphorically conveyed through sculptures taking the form of abstract, omnipresent duties inseparable from their bearers. However, an element of questioning these social norms is introduced by adding a male figure who, in turn, assumes some of these ghostly responsibilities.
Models: Maria Untilov, Ana Bănică, Anca Stoica, Sergiu Diță
Photo: Vlad Hărăstășan, Vlad Zugrăvel
Art director: Diana Cimpoeșu
Gaffer, art assistant: Daniel Benchea
Location: Acasă la Hundorf
Photo: Vlad Hărăstășan, Vlad Zugrăvel
Art director: Diana Cimpoeșu
Gaffer, art assistant: Daniel Benchea
Location: Acasă la Hundorf
RESHAPING is a series of interactive textile sculptures. Positioned on the border between art and design, these sculptures aim to reverse predefined artistic roles and reshape the public’s perceptions of vernacular textile arts through form and content.
While in recent Eastern European history utilitarian textiles, predominantly made by women within their households, received little artistic and academic attention, sculpture, considered typically “masculine” and predominantly crafted by men from higher social classes, has consistently been attributed the term “fine art”.
With this series of sculptures designed to assume utilitarian roles (furniture, clothing, accessories), the viewer is invited to interact directly with the works by taking them off the walls. As a result, the sculpture loses some of the elements of heightened sanctity associated with its high and untouchable positioning. It begins to take on a practical, accessible role due to the hands that bring it closer to people.
In this process, a dilemma arises: at what point does art lose its “status,” and who initially grants that status?
