In the series Acciones Plásticas, I created a multi-faceted “doll”, assuming the role of designer and distributor, and even posing as the actual doll itself. My product is “marketed” in five distinct styles: The Orthodox Jew©, The JAP©, The Chach©, The Sexy Latina©, and The Mayan©. Each doll is a satirical characterization of the many roles that have been projected upon me, and into which I have, to some extent, inevitably fallen.
The dolls are always featured completely isolated from their expected surrounding environment. They never actually perform their assumed ritual; instead they merely model the pose in which their expected action would normally occur. As “ethnic objects”, the dolls are removed from their original context. Much like actual commercial dolls or other artifacts of popular culture, the viewer observes them without consideration of relevant socio-economic issues, heritage, or cultural practices.
In conjunction with these images, I developed a short series of films in which I become “real women” whose lives have been visibly defined by these societal constructs. Modeled after MySpace profiles and YouTube “video blogs”, the films are intended to appeal to high school age girls, who are accustomed to the culture of self-promotion which is prevalent in such online communities. In creating this work, I have been very conscious of the fine line between self-exploitation and proper utilization, with regard to my own status as a representative of a greater cultural identity. Since the project’s inception, I have continuously incorporated and placed equal value on the input of other young women, making this piece an ongoing and interactive performance. Acciones Plásticas itself does not provide an actual, tangible resolution. Instead, it slyly functions as a catalyst in creating dialogue, which is instrumental in the process of empowering young women.
ACCIONES PLÁSTICAS UPDATES:
Check out Acciones Plásticas プリクラ collaboration with Rio Yañez.
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