Judith Butler argues that words have a power : their scope, their potential impact. They hold a performative nature due to their repetition that builds the standard wherein each individual fits. If the chinese characters are looked at, another dimension comes in play, not the spoken side of the language but the written one. Their repetitive use has also definitely a scope, but which one ?

Why does the character for slave 奴 include the character for girl 女 ? Is this written on the individuals who identify themselves as 女 ?

This project takes the form of a fashion show. It is about wearing the characters containing the sign 女 to question the subjectivity arising from those words worn by those, female or male, who recognize themselves in this sign. With no desire of asserting anything, this performance aims to question what can the chinese writing convey.

ilazki
Shanghai, April 5, 2014

Teaser of performance : vimeo.com/121914481