Unseen Bodies Thesis Art Exhibit explores the unrepresented
Poster created to advertise the "Unseen Bodies" thesis project exhibit.

Unseen Bodies Thesis Art Exhibit explores the unrepresented

Which bodies go unseen? What would it take to see them? In New Colleges’ annual thesis art exhibition, spanning from Apr. 20 to May 12, seven art students contributed multimedia works that address these questions and focus on themes of identity and representation. Artists included thesis students Fae Borodiansky, Frances ‘Zory’ Fahringer, Precious Darling, Remy Katz and Payton Sherer, as well as third-year students Emma Curtis and Gleimi Dejesus. Throughout the bustling hallway of the Isermann Gallery on Caples campus, visitors can gaze at digital animations, sculptures, paintings and textiles in order to convey these students’ individual interpretations of the theme “Unseen Bodies.”

Borodiansky is the first artist displayed in the hallway featuring a series of oil paintings for their thesis project.  The paintings are characterized by bold and unusual color combinations, gestural brushwork and compositional effects. Borodiansky chose to follow the theme by highlighting the intense emotions of people with both hidden and physical disabilities and the challenges they face. 

Collage of three of Fae Borodiansky’s thesis collection discussing the raw emotions of those with invisible disabilities such as type 1 diabetes and endometriosis. Photo credit: Brynn Halpern.

“The opportunity for others to empathize with the experiences of those with these illnesses will, I believe, pave the way for social change that would make accommodations and acceptance of chronic illnesses a mainstream consideration,” Borodiansky stated.“My chronic illness often threw a wrench in my plans, forcing me to play roulette at times with my body and my workload.”

Some art pieces involved an interactive element that allowed attendees to be involved with the art to a different level. DeJesus did just that with her piece, “By The Neck.” On a shelf in the gallery, a replica of the piece was able to be worn by attendants to the event. The piece attaches two individuals together by their necks in order to convey her interpretation of the theme to audiences. Dejesus wishes to show the complex relationships between people and our environment through her kinetic sculptures that move when approached. Dejesus presented her pieces as a preview in order to build on her thesis until her fourth year at New College. 

Gleimi DeJesus’ art piece showing two fingers dragging in the sand attached to two balloon-like objects. Photo provided by Gleimi DeJesus.

“I was able to learn that people are naturally curious, but that there is still a barrier between people and the gallery,” DeJesus described. “I want my work to connect people to the gallery more intimately. ”

Darling created five video presentations on the objectification of the female body in relationship to sex dolls throughout history. After studying the subject over the course of two semesters and an Independent Study Project (ISP), Darling decided that the exploration of sex dolls through the lens of art history was something perfectly related to the topic, “Unseen Bodies.” 

“My thesis specifically is titled Flesh Doll: Exploring Sex Dolls and Art History in Relation to Objectification,” Darling stated. “I created five short videos with a live nude model that explore the evolution of sex dolls from statues to Artificial Intelligence (AI), and to highlight how they objectify women or the female body. The series took me about a month or so from conception to actually filming and editing. I want to challenge viewers’ perception of the female body and question how they see and interact with the objectification of the female body.” 

Second-year Penelope Donetti modeled for the video project and was involved in Darling’s creative processes throughout filming.

“Overall, it was a great experience,” Donetti stated. “I got to experience modeling for the first time. I signed up in hopes to be the canvas for a broader message, and that’s exactly how I felt about it. I loved witnessing Precious’s creativity and being a part of it!”

In order to support the Art Department’s future exhibitions, catalogs and $8 sticker packs are available for purchase no later than May 24. Each sticker represents a different art student’s project and personality. To purchase, contact Thesis Catalog Design Lead Robyn Davis (22’) at redavis@ncf.edu or visit the New College thesis exhibition website.

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