Non-Conforming Bodies
Liliana Zaharia
Photography/Direction: Liliana Zaharia
Sound Design: Razvan Hogea
Participants:
Konstantina Katsikari, Ken Nakajima, Xinyi He
Non-Conforming Bodies examines representations of chronic pain through visual imagery, informed by the artist's own experience. It is comprised of photographs, videos and sound design. The work investigates the collective experience and how biological, psychological and societal elements intersect and influence our understanding of pain. The participants reinterpret long term physical pain through improvised performances based on somatic movements. Body movements and postures work as a way to explore, re-imagine and visualise physical and mental manifestations that are often invisible. In addition, interpretative gestures where a second person appears in the photographs allude to the intricate relationships between the pain sufferer and people assisting them. Through a performative practice, the series aims to re-think the concept of chronic pain and open up channels for empathy