LIE: Lactation Induction Engine
Bio-Hacking: A Durational Performance Art Project
2021- 2022
SAIC Washington Galleries
Mana Contemporary Art, Chicago (forthcoming)
The LIE examines the dual function of our productive host organs, particularly the breasts, as both independent entities and as providers for others. By questioning these roles, the work explores whether such organs can operate beyond societal and biological expectations. This durational performance art project was initiated in September 2021 and spans multiple mediums and technologies, blending physical endurance with innovative new media formats.
Conceptual Framework: Challenging Norms
The project begins by interrogating the inherent duality of productive organs. Are they solely designed to serve others, or can they embody autonomy? This inquiry led to an intense and immersive exploration of the body’s capabilities, blurring the lines between gendered and non-gendered interpretations of these functions.
The Process: Merging Physicality and New Media Pumping Sessions and Documentation:
In the early stages, the project centered on intensive pumping sessions, meticulously documented through photography and video. This visual archive captures the physical and emotional strain of the process, presenting the body as both subject and medium.
The project centered on intensive pumping sessions, meticulously documented through photography and video.
Physical and Media Integration:The mechanical strain induced by the pumping machine inspired the incorporation of new media to simulate the effects of hormonal and physiological changes.
Visual Media:
Watching breastfeeding-related videos to enhance sensory immersion.
Olfactory Elements:
Creating a perfume infused with the scent of newborns to stimulate hormonal responses.
Lactation Bag:To facilitate mobility during the performance, a lactation bag was developed for use outside of the controlled environment. This practical yet symbolic tool extends the conceptual framework into public spaces, questioning the boundaries of the private and the performative.
Soundscapes: Listening to a baby’s cries to emulate emotional triggers.
Immersive Media Creation: In this phase, the project evolved into two distinct forms, tailored for both indoor and outdoor experiences, ensuring accessibility and engagement across different contexts.
Indoor VR Environment:A virtual reality environment was meticulously designed to archive the media and information collected throughout the project. By using VR goggles, audiences can fully immerse themselves in the multi-sensory experience, exploring the intricate connections between sound, visuals, and olfactory elements in a controlled indoor space.
Outdoor AR Application:
For outdoor engagement, an augmented reality app was developed. This app features a 3D scan of my body, integrated with soundscapes and digital representations of human cellular mechanisms. The AR experience allows users to interact with these elements in real-time, offering a dynamic reflection of the project’s themes. Additionally, the app was used during my pumping sessions outdoors, extending the performance beyond physical constraints and into the digital realm.
The Body as a Medium: By the 18th week of the project, an ultrasound confirmed the activation of breast ducts, a significant milestone in fabricating biological functionality. By the 21st week, the first colostrum began to flow, demonstrating the transformative potential of the durational performance.
Expanding Artistic Boundaries: This durational art project transcends traditional notions of gender and bodily autonomy. By reimagining the function of productive organs through physical endurance and technological integration, it pushes the boundaries of performance art, challenging audiences to reconsider the capabilities and purposes of the human body.
For access to the project documentation, including the film and performance materials, please contact me directly. The materials are private and will only be shared upon specific request.
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