The personal meaning behind my three installation works:
In my installation works, I explore the personal experiences and challenges that have shaped my identity and worldview. Each piece delves into different aspects of social norms and expectations, inviting viewers to reflect on their own lives and consider the possibility of breaking free from societal constraints.
The first work, titled 'What if..?', emerged from my own experiences growing up in a home where unconventional relationships and disabilities were met with societal disapproval. Through the presentation of wooden framed boxes, I captured the ways in which these norms influence our choices and behaviors, often leading us to conform to societal expectations. This work asks viewers to question these conventions and strive to carve out their own unique identity, free from the limitations imposed by society.
'Lost', my second installation, addresses the pressure to live an 'Ideal Life' dictated by societal norms. By constructing a wooden frame structure with strings of different colors, I seek to convey the feelings of being trapped in a box of conformity and fitting in. This piece encourages viewers to break free from conventional ideals and make decisions that truly align with their own desires and values, rather than succumbing to societal pressures.
Lastly, my final installation work explores the limits of our freedom within contemporary society. The room filled with strings and masks symbolizes the complexity of our lives and the manipulative nature of our relationships within this structured society. The strings represent our orientation in this organized world, as well as the different paths we can choose to take in our lives. Meanwhile, the masks represent the various moments of conformity and the hours of our lives that may feel lost or unfulfilled. Placed in different positions among the strings, they depict the manipulated human relationships and the sense of loneliness that can exist within our societal framework.
Accompanied by the sound of a ticking clock and the poignant voice of activist and writer Chronis Missios reciting a poem about the constraints imposed by society, this installation evokes a sense of urgency and introspection. It serves as a reminder that our lives may sometimes feel like a 'daily death', but within this struggle, lies the potential to find beauty and meaning.
Each of these installations bears a deep personal meaning for me. They reflect my own journey, marked by experiences of societal disapproval, personal struggles, and a desire to break free from the expectations that surround us. Through these artworks, I invite viewers to consider their own stories, question the limitations placed upon them, and embrace the authentic and meaningful lives they can create.