Project 2 Artist Statement and Vimeo

Vimeo link

Artist Statement

For project #2, I filmed a narrative that was told through the use of two pairs of feet. The emotions that the couple were feeling are portrayed through their stance and pacing, thus creating a silent, yet clear dialogue that the audience can follow. The video begins with a woman’s pair of legs that are in the kitchen, preparing food. Then, a man’s pair of legs appear behind her, surprising her when she turns around to find him there. They both exchange a welcome hug and kiss because they are husband and wife, then settle into talking about their day, getting comfortable where they stand. The woman’s legs walk toward his, while talking, and rests to the side of his as she is explaining something. After she finishes telling the man her news, they both move slightly away from each other as if both are offended. The man takes a menacing step towards her because he does not like the news she gave him. He stalks her down across the kitchen, into a corner where he then aggressively shakes her, ultimately slapping her. The man’s legs turn quickly and leave the kitchen while the woman’s legs are in shock. She walks to the kitchen sink and thinks for a moment. She then marches out of the kitchen, in the direction the man exited. It is up to the viewer to create what will happen next, as the woman chases after him.

                The idea behind the video was that of a married couple who have a conversation that turns into violent aggression. The woman is telling the man something he doesn’t want to hear and the man interprets it in a negative way, drastically changing the evening with one motion. As the title suggests, this event happens often enough to become something as expected; the same song and dance. However, the woman is still trying to love the man and have a lasting relationship with him. In the end, when the wife marches after the husband, it is up to the audience to decide what will happen next. Either she is going after him with vengeful intentions, or, she is running to him with acceptance of her abusive relationship, asking for forgiveness. The concept of this video is about gender stereotypes and feminism. The woman is in all white, the color of a pure, innocent woman, while the man is wearing all black, exemplifying his male-dominance and masculinity. The video, as a whole, is also in black and white to resemble a 1950’s household environment, where the wife is baking a feast for dinner and the husband walks home from a long day at work, expecting to be fed. The video draws to mind how quickly a man can change a situation just because of a foul attitude, taking it out on a woman because she is assumed to have no power or authority in the relationship.