My current series is based on a mixture of my own experiences and camp-inspired, nostalgic, coming of age imagery. With the drastic shift COVID brought into the dating field, (amongst all its other chaos) it has allowed a more intrusive, authentic view into strangers’ lives.
As myself and most of the world found themselves furloughed or unemployed, I instantly felt the clock ticking to create. The pressure I put on myself was instantaneous. A palpable stalemate between me and my creative side. Though dating began as a diversion, it quickly grew into my main source of inspiration. The heaviness and tension from standing too close to someone was enough to spark creativity. Physical space now had a new language and meaning. .
My previous dating experiences took place at a bar or neutral location, over dinner or drinks. A safe, but dispassionate night amount to judging each other in a controlled environment. COVID eradicated the neutral zone, but the need for human connection stayed present. This opened up a world of forcibly creative alternatives.
While some capitalized as an excuse to “just come over,” others bided their time on walks, bike rides, and other 6-foot-away activities. Either way, it was an excellent time to get to know someone without distractions, as well as study people’s behavior (mine included) under a pandemic-colored microscope.
Growing up with crime and detective shows, my little brain was overwhelmed with knowledge of using clues to form a profile of a person; To create a narrative from just a screenshot of information. As a young woman dating in a city, this had multiple uses; however as an artist, it was a way to build a narrative.
Entering a person's private space always excites me. I developed a small obsession with meaningful objects after my house burned down 5 years ago. I always thought of possessions in an accumulated way; you buy things, and keep them for as long as you can. However, this event shifted my understanding of the importance, or lack there-of, of material possessions, and the story it tells about our character. This is what fascinated me about the new way of dating.
Check out some of the first images Here with many more to come!
