My interests lie in the intersection of the public and private, the corporate and personal, especially with regard to self-representation within cultural power structures. Utilizing video and web technologies, performance, and painting, I create imagined realms of fantasy, desire, obsession, and anxiety. Operating within, but not bound by, feminist discourse, my work explores the vehicles and effects by which both analog and digital technologies influence the relationship between the self and the object of desire (whether physical or virtual, interior or exterior to the body) and have produced both progressive and regressive offspring. By performing the role of both producer of cultural archetypes and the compulsive consumer of signs, m­y characters embody the representation(s) of their source but, through action and voice, invent a mutant surrogate who dictates its own agency.

Through my PhD thesis, ‘Porno-graphing: ‘dirty’ subjectivities & self-objectification in contemporary lens-based art’, I use the term ‘porno-graphing’ to group together and examine lens-based artworks where artists use as art-material sexual situations or sets of sexual dynamics present in their life independently of their art practice. I consider how artists act upon these sexual situations in order to make art out of them, the art-results they produce and their means of sharing them with audiences. I argue that the artists whose work I examine, use sexual situations that can potentially be perceived as ‘taboo’; for example Leigh Ledare involves incest-related dynamics in Pretend You Are Actually Alive and Kathy Acker with Alan Sondheim implicate child-sexual subjectivities in the Blue Tape. I argue that they choose and use these situations to self-submit into the ‘dirtiness’ of their sexual and artistic subjectivities and in doing so to negotiate how subjectivity is produced. To do so, they use visual vocabularies of autobiography to self-objectify into roles as both artists, e.g. assuming positions such as the white male pornographer-exploiter (the work of Ledare) and as sexual subjects, e.g. ‘perverted’ or hyper-sexual objects of desire (the work of Lo Liddell). In embracing these roles they create ‘intensified encounters’ (Edelman & Berlant, 2014) between the artist, the art-object and the viewer, to interrogate ‘normative’ and ‘antinormative’ patterns of meaning-making and value-attribution regarding subjectivity and art.

Through practice-led research this thesis will explore the phenomenology of interactions between the digital 'other', and the lived experience of the subject through real-time video performance practice. It challenges the assumption that the digital video image is merely or simply other to the subject and aims to re-position the 'other' as an integral part of self where we perform the other. It does this by drawing on Jacques Lacan's Mirror Stage and claims that through digital performance we can suspend divisions between the self and the digital other. By being immersed within the real-time video image the thesis argues we re-enter the Mirror Stage and become captivated within the digital counterpart. Through a disruption in the proprioception of the body there is a crossover of the actual self and digital other which are suspended in each other. Through the use of Head Mounted Display Systems in the work In[bodi]lmental it is claimed that the actual body can In[body] the other subject as part of self. The thesis argues that the digital other is a component of self mediated through new digital technologies to be understood as an augmented self. Therefore it is through an In[bodied] Mirror Stage we momentarily access the loss of the Lacanian real encountered through the uncanny experience. This investigation has been conducted in the form of four digital performance projects defined as Inter-Reactive Explorations I-REs (i-iv).The I-REs were subjected to critical analysis and reflection using a variety of disciplines including: psychoanalysis, philosophy, the study of perception, phenomenology, and ethnography. The methodological framework for this research has been coined 'auto-ethnophenomenology'; a mixed-method approach utilizing auto-ethnography and the phenomenological lived experiences of informants. This model has enabled both the 'I' of the researcher and the other to be equally represented from both first person and third person perspectives. The symbiotic relationship between the theory and the practice is exemplified through the phenomenology of interactions between the digital 'other', and the lived experience of the subjects supported by the writings of Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Drew Leder and Rane Willerslev.

A Tese Confissões | Não | Declaradas apresenta um conjunto de experimentos poéticos realizados entre 2011 e 2015, cujo foco toma o corpo - para além do masculino e feminino - como subjetividade encarnada. Neles estão incorporadas tanto as investigações no campo das práticas artísticas quanto as reflexões no plano conceitual. A criação de campos sensórios em desenhos, esculturas, fotografias, gravuras e videoperformances refere-se às práticas artísticas. Já o desenvolvimento ensaístico do texto sobre as noções de corpo e sua conversão em imagem - de subjetividade como objeto de encarnação e de corpo fluido em estado artístico - remete ao plano conceitual em que os resultados dos experimentos poéticos se rebatem e se multiplicam. Como desdobramento disso, ainda são desencadeadas ideias sobre questões de gênero na interação erótica e, numa outra perspectiva, são desenvolvidas reflexões sobre o sujeito múltiplo metaestável como resultante de um processo de individuação contínuo. A metodologia que está na base dos experimentos poéticos é a pesquisa da sensação, porém empreendida com o objetivo de criar zonas estéticas capazes de dissolver formas corporais culturalmente crista / This thesis, entitled Confessions | Not | Declared, presents a series of artistic experiments conducted between 2011 and 2015, focusing on the human body beyond the categories of male and female, taken as embodied subjectivity. These experiments embody both artistic practice-based research and theoretical considerations. Artistic practice refers to the creation of sensory fields in drawings, sculptures, photographs, prints and video performances. The theoretical analysis examined some notions of the human body converted into image: the notion of incarnated subjectivity and the notion of a flowing body in artistic state, and how these concepts related to the artistic experimentation. Furthermore, both ideas on gender issues in erotic interaction and, from a different perspective, reflections on a metastable, multiple subject resulting from a continuous process of individuation, were considered. Sensation research was the methodology underpinning the artistic experiments. With this approach, aesthetic zones were created that dissolved culturally constructed notions of human body forms, and the images produced, rather than mere images, were infused with story-telling power.

A Tese Confissões | Não | Declaradas apresenta um conjunto de experimentos poéticos realizados entre 2011 e 2015, cujo foco toma o corpo - para além do masculino e feminino - como subjetividade encarnada. Neles estão incorporadas tanto as investigações no campo das práticas artísticas quanto as reflexões no plano conceitual. A criação de campos sensórios em desenhos, esculturas, fotografias, gravuras e videoperformances refere-se às práticas artísticas. Já o desenvolvimento ensaístico do texto sobre as noções de corpo e sua conversão em imagem - de subjetividade como objeto de encarnação e de corpo fluido em estado artístico - remete ao plano conceitual em que os resultados dos experimentos poéticos se rebatem e se multiplicam. Como desdobramento disso, ainda são desencadeadas ideias sobre questões de gênero na interação erótica e, numa outra perspectiva, são desenvolvidas reflexões sobre o sujeito múltiplo metaestável como resultante de um processo de individuação contínuo. A metodologia que está na base dos experimentos poéticos é a pesquisa da sensação, porém empreendida com o objetivo de criar zonas estéticas capazes de dissolver formas corporais culturalmente crista / This thesis, entitled Confessions | Not | Declared, presents a series of artistic experiments conducted between 2011 and 2015, focusing on the human body beyond the categories of male and female, taken as embodied subjectivity. These experiments embody both artistic practice-based research and theoretical considerations. Artistic practice refers to the creation of sensory fields in drawings, sculptures, photographs, prints and video performances. The theoretical analysis examined some notions of the human body converted into image: the notion of incarnated subjectivity and the notion of a flowing body in artistic state, and how these concepts related to the artistic experimentation. Furthermore, both ideas on gender issues in erotic interaction and, from a different perspective, reflections on a metastable, multiple subject resulting from a continuous process of individuation, were considered. Sensation research was the methodology underpinning the artistic experiments. With this approach, aesthetic zones were created that dissolved culturally constructed notions of human body forms, and the images produced, rather than mere images, were infused with story-telling power.

Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta um relato de experiência sobre um processo de ensino/aprendizagem de videoperformance com adolescentes. Após verificar, durante aulas de Arte regulares no decorrer do ano letivo, que os alunos não aprendiam a ler, contextualizar e fazer vídeo, um curso/pesquisa de videoperformance foi elaborado com a finalidade de buscar respostas para aprimorar esta aprendizagem. Relata uma experiência de ensino/aprendizagem anterior ao curso/pesquisa que foi considerada equivocada e apresenta um novo formato de curso, trazendo respostas que podem contribuir para a arte/educação. Contempla um DVD anexo com passagens de aulas, entrevistas com alunos, trabalhos e questionários que ajudaram a compreender o processo dos alunos e o ensino e aprendizagem da arte. / This dissertation presents an experience report on a teaching video performance with adolescents. After checking for art classes during the regular school year, students do not learn to read, contextualize and make video, a course video performance survey was prepared for the purpose of seeking answers to enhance this learning. Describes an experience of teaching before the research that was considered wrong and presents a new format of the course, bringing answers that may contribute to the art education. Includes a DVD attachment with passages of lessons, interviews with students, work and questionnaires that helped students understand the process of teaching and learning art.

Esta dissertação de mestrado apresenta um relato de experiência sobre um processo de ensino/aprendizagem de videoperformance com adolescentes. Após verificar, durante aulas de Arte regulares no decorrer do ano letivo, que os alunos não aprendiam a ler, contextualizar e fazer vídeo, um curso/pesquisa de videoperformance foi elaborado com a finalidade de buscar respostas para aprimorar esta aprendizagem. Relata uma experiência de ensino/aprendizagem anterior ao curso/pesquisa que foi considerada equivocada e apresenta um novo formato de curso, trazendo respostas que podem contribuir para a arte/educação. Contempla um DVD anexo com passagens de aulas, entrevistas com alunos, trabalhos e questionários que ajudaram a compreender o processo dos alunos e o ensino e aprendizagem da arte. / This dissertation presents an experience report on a teaching video performance with adolescents. After checking for art classes during the regular school year, students do not learn to read, contextualize and make video, a course video performance survey was prepared for the purpose of seeking answers to enhance this learning. Describes an experience of teaching before the research that was considered wrong and presents a new format of the course, bringing answers that may contribute to the art education. Includes a DVD attachment with passages of lessons, interviews with students, work and questionnaires that helped students understand the process of teaching and learning art.

[ES] La investigación teorico práctica de esta tesis se centra fundamentalmente en el estudio del espejo, la psicosis y la mujer artista. A través de un exhaustivo análisis profundizamos en el carácter simbólico de la mujer reflejada a través del espejo, y sus posteriores influencias en el arte contemporáneo. Al analizar esta dualidad entre el individuo y la mente, indagamos en el estudio de la psique y en la representación de la psicosis femenina en la video-performance con artistas como: Maya Deren, Joan Jonas,Yayoi Kusama, Dara Birnbaum, Nil Yalter y Nicole Croiset Rebeca Horn, Àngels Ribé. Finalmente, examinamos la presencia más actual de la mujer en el ámbito artístico y su relación con su reflejo como plasmación de su propia mirada introspectiva, desde el testimonio más corpóreo, objetual y fetichista, heredado de la sociedad patriarcal a sus reivindicaciones artísticas feministas. De igual modo, testimoniamos cómo el espejo se ha convertido en manos de las mujeres artistas en un instrumento que manifiesta qué significa ser mujer en el arte contemporáneo, no exento de un carácter intimo, crítico y combativo, como lo testimonian: Valie Export, Pipilotti Rist, Lynn Hershman... / [CA] La investigació teoricopràctica d'aquesta tesi se centra fonamentalment en l'estudi del mirall, la psicosi i la dona artista. A través d'una exhaustiva anàlisi aprofundirem en el caràcter simbòlic de la dona reflectida a través del mirall, i les influències posteriors en l'art contemporani. En analitzar aquesta dualitat entre l'individu i la ment, indagarem en estudi de la psique, i en la representació de la psicosi femenina a la videoperformance amb artistes com: Maya Deren, Joan Jonas, Yayoi Kusama, Dara Birnbaum, Nil Yalter i Nicole Croiset Rebeca Horn, Àngels Ribé. Finalment, examinarem la presència més actual de la dona a l'àmbit artístic i la seva relació amb el seu reflex com a plasmació de la seva pròpia mirada introspectiva, des del testimoni més corpori, objectual i fetitxista, heretat de la societat patriarcal a les seves reivindicacions artístiques feministes. De la mateixa manera, testimoniem com el mirall s'ha convertit en mans de les dones artistes en un instrument que manifesta què significa ser dona a l'art contemporani, no exempt d'un caràcter íntim, crític i combatiu, com ho testimonien: Valie Export, Pipilotti Rist, Lynn Hershman... / [EN] The theoretical and practical investigation of this thesis is fundamentally focused on the study of the mirror, psychosis and the female artist. Through an exhaustive analysis we will delve into the symbolic character of the woman reflected through the mirror, and her subsequent influences on contemporary art. By analyzing this duality between the individual and the mind, we will investigate the study of the psyche, and the representation of female psychosis in video-performance with artists such as: Maya Deren, Joan Jonas, Yayoi Kusama, Dara Birnbaum, Nil Yalter and Nicole Croiset Rebeca Horn, Àngels Ribé. Finally, we will examine the most current presence of women in the artistic field and their relationship with their reflection as a reflection of their own introspective gaze, from the most corporeal, objectual and fetishist testimony, inherited from the patriarchal society to its feminist artistic claims. In the same way, we testify how the mirror has become in the hands of women artists an instrument that manifests what it means to be a woman in contemporary art, not exempt from an intimate, critical and combative character, as witnessed by: Valie Export, Pipilotti Rist, Lynn Hershman... / Toledo Ribes, S. (2024). El espejo y la mujer en el arte. Psicosis, sociedad y video-performance [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/202697

En partant de la documentation filmique de deux performances (Da ist eine kriminelle Berührung in der Kunst [Ulay, 1976] et Data [Gagnon, 2010]) qui a comme particularité commune d’avoir été soumise à des manœuvres cinématographiques, ce mémoire élabore une théorisation permettant de les penser autrement qu’en tant que documents, mais en tant que films, et plus précisément en tant qu’œuvres esthétiques complémentaires à la performance d’origine. Tombant dans une béance théorique par le fait de leur hybridité supposément contradictoire (performance, éphémère/cinéma, préservation), les deux films nous invitent à penser une conceptualisation renouvelée de la performance. Depuis cette perspective, nous démontrerons que, si le geste de performance est lui-même enchâssé dans le geste cinématographique, c’est en fonction de cette co-constitution des œuvres qu’il faut les aborder : en plus de référer à un contenu performatif, ces films performent une réalité inachevée, en termes de classification théorique mais aussi en termes de valeur politique. Nous verrons finalement qu’à travers le thème fédérateur du détournement artistique, pensé dans un rapport critique des institutions culturelles, les deux œuvres ont pour visée une transformation qui a pour but l’établissement de nouveaux rapports sociaux et politiques. Ultimement, nous défendrons que cette intervention à même une structure sociale établie ne soit possible que si la performance d’origine est présentée cinématographiquement, par le concept du geste cinématographique de performance. / The present thesis takes as its point of departure the filmed documentary works relating to two performances: Da ist eine kriminelle Berührung in der Kunst (Ulay, 1976) and Data (Gagnon, 2010). These documents have in common the fact that they were both subject to cinematic manipulation. Are we to think of them merely as documents or as films in their own right, i.e., as aesthetic objects complementary to the performances that provided the occasion for their production? Rather than leaving these documents to languish in a theoretical void or to waver between their apparently contradictory tendencies (ephemeral performances or cinematic preservation?), this thesis takes up the theoretical challenge they articulate and proposes a fresh approach to the question of performance. In particular, it will be argued that, to the extent that the performative gesture is framed by the cinematographic gesture, these works can only be made sense of in virtue of their co-constitution. As such, in addition to referring to a performative content (i.e., the original performances), these documentary films also put an incomplete reality on display, first in terms of the question of how to classify them, but also in terms of their political content. Through the common themes of an aesthetic “hijacking” of performance and of a critical perspective on cultural institutions, the thesis shows how these two documentary works suggest a transformative renewal of social and political relations. Ultimately, through the notion of a cinematic-performative gesture, which is parasitical upon established social structures, it will be shown that the success of these works depends inherently upon cinematic form.