The use of stop motion.

The use of stop motion in my most recent works reflects the way in which I intend on using stop motion in Forms of Friction. 
Instead of creating a steady pose for each frame, my process involves the individual moving fluidly, the camera captures continuous shots of these movements. This diverts the notion of creating a pose to be captured, and instead implies the possibility of capturing moments of performative movements.

Examples of stop motion:

Lady 

2011

A female exhausted by her daily makeup routine attempts to restructure her practice. By showcasing the repetitive nature of gender performativity, the female applies and reapplies her makeup exaggerating the ideal feminine look.

The use of makeup demonstrates the societal obsession with the feminine appearance. It is because the female makes a conscious effort to detract from this feminine ideal that she is able to undo her gender identity and performativity.

Lady is a visualization of the feminine identity, which creates a standardization of the female gender identity. Through the use of repetition within gender performances the female successfully demonstrates the performative disposition of gender. 

Fe-Mal-Ity

2011

Playing with notions around gender identity, Fe-Mal-Ity illustrates a female unable to come to terms with the strict societal standards for the female. Through applying nail polish the female recognizes that her performed gender identity does not correspond with her innate impulses.

Coming to terms with this notion through visualizations of past intimate experiences, the female undoes her gender identity. Her gender performativity becomes compromised by these flashbacks. Her attention and care for correct gender performativity is seen with her misuse of nail polish.

The use of stop motion in Fe-Mal-Ity comments upon the way in which every motion of gender performativity is observed and critiqued. By using stop motion, the female’s actions are captured allowing for a societal critique of her performativity.