The inherent value of clothing production and the fashion industry is explored in Wowzzzeee, a design research project experimenting with the intersection of fashion, scenography and performance.
The inherent value of clothing production and the fashion industry is explored in Wowzzzeee, a design research project experimenting with the intersection of fashion, scenography and performance.
The roles of consumer, factory worker, fashion model, and salesperson are theatrically reconfigured within the context of an immersive black-box, live art theatre space. Consumers/ audience members endure multiple uncanny experiences including an interrogation with a model, ironically becoming a factory worker/ sewing their own clothing and a narcissistic performative encounter with dance artists.
To intensify the experience with performers set design played a crucial role in creating paradoxical immersive spaces. The theatre space was carved into a series of maze-like rooms around a central over lit factory floor with sewing machines.
The peripheral rooms (waiting room, interview room, fitting space, mirror dance hall) appear as luxuriant spaces but in fact deceptively crafted from discarded or low-cost prosaic materials. Dark and theatrical lighting is incorporated to heighten the paradox.
CategoryInstallation & Performance Art
Location Festival of Live Art, Melbourne & Fremantle
StatusCompleted
Year2018-19
CollaboratorsAdele Varcoe
PhotographyChristine Francis