protected characteristics1. ≥ linguistic determinism2. ≥ identity3.
January, June, November 2015.
Conversation, text, karaoke.
On the 28th January 2015, five guests were invited to share a meal at am. gallery in London. The discussion centred on bureaucratic language and its relation to, and formation of, identity.
The phrase, protected characteristics refers to the identity markers defined as being protected from discrimination by the 2010 Equality Act in the UK. These include: age, ability, gender, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or beliefs and sexuality. Each of the five dinner guests shared at least one identity marker with the artist.
January, June, November 2015.
Conversation, text, karaoke.
On the 28th January 2015, five guests were invited to share a meal at am. gallery in London. The discussion centred on bureaucratic language and its relation to, and formation of, identity.
The phrase, protected characteristics refers to the identity markers defined as being protected from discrimination by the 2010 Equality Act in the UK. These include: age, ability, gender, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or beliefs and sexuality. Each of the five dinner guests shared at least one identity marker with the artist.
The conversations around the table were recorded between the hours of 20:00 and 22:00. The audio was transcribed and a script was made.
The transcript was used to re-enact the discussion, both with the original participants where they could play the part of another during the dinner, and as a series of participatory performances at Hordaland Kunstsenter where five people could sign up to re-enact the dinner together with the artist.
The work looks at our language reflects and traps us and how we let it willingly and unwillingly shape how we are seen.