Performance Soft Shell Skin I
(light installation)

Firma van Drie Gouda
December 10, 2010

vlnr Idelette (model) Trude Linde (Firma van Drie) and Isidoor Wens

Soft Shell Skin I

Height: ± 205 cm
Diameter: ± 210 cm
Material: synthetic fur

On display until December 15, 2010
Open Wednesday to Sunday
from 12.00 - 17.00 hours

Thoughts and explanation

If you look at the human body than we are naturally low on armor / protection. Only a few vital organs like the heart, which is protected under our rib cage and the brains in our skull. Furthermore, we people can be in the queue next to the hermit crab looking for armor / protection. We must protect our skin with the skin of others, such as leather or fur and so on.

Although I see this sculpture as one of my better works I have never exhibited it. This sculpture is made from artificial soft-haired fur (faux fur). It is very cuddly. A ready-made shell to step in for protection, for affection and security. Here the installation is presented with black light thus creating distance so that the light touches the audience. At least if you wear something that can reflect light.

This performance is presented with live improvised music by UFEP, sound building up to the moment.

The model uses her movements to ask questions about freedom, connection, self-awareness, protection, the womb, happiness, love, the child inside her, warmth and affection. She feels back in the womb, she feels love. She dreams of stars that offer her pursuit of happiness, she feels freedom and happiness and acts accordingly. She experiences time and is without haste. She surprises the viewer. She responds with her movements to the music as a newborn scanning the environment, smell, feel and see. She disappears into the sculpture, feeling like a child of the universe. Thus, she becomes one with the sculpture connecting heaven and earth. She becomes timeless, self-confident and free from anything. With a nearly dominant pose the model ends the performance. While she poses with a very powerful and strongself-esteem, she leaves the viewer with a feeling of sensual challenging vulnerability.

These are my thoughts, the explanation I gave to the people involved in this project. Of course I'm curious how this input will translate into the performance.