BITTERSWEET
Bittersweet, [Abject. Subject. Inbetween.]
'Bittersweet', explores the paradoxical complexity of living with an invisible illness. In 2009, Canavan was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalopathy which effects the Brain and Central Nervous System, the illness nearly always results in a severe reduction in a person’s ability to cope with all aspects of normal daily living, resulting in the artist feeling smothered by her own body while the mind is forced to stay still.
The body is a cage, a bondage, a snare; at best an unfortunate inconvenience, the vessel for a soul which struggles to keep it controlled and contained'.
-Descartes
This is the first live performance of this piece of work which was tested through performance to camera and photographed by Fiona Nicholl in 2010, the original foundations of the piece of work rested on the notions of forget/forgotten self. A lost soul, a lost body, the body as vessel. I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalopathy (http://www.meassociation.org.uk/), a condition which can severely debilitate and control the body and mind. This piece of work sees me pierce a white rose into my mouth, my body the vessel, my body object.. abject... in-between.... the white rose... a death.. a birth... a love, loss. Bittersweet is me longing to gain control of my body after frequently feeling like I have been left behind, left gathering dust on a shelf, unable to be who I want, do what I want and have control of my destination.
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| 'Bittersweet' Photograph taken by Glen Stoker |
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| 'Bittersweet' Photograph taken by Glen Stoker |
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| 'Bittersweet' Photograph taken by Glen Stoker |
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