We use the form of an unrolled toilet paper roll, which draws attention both through its symbolism and chosen aesthetic. The oversized, spiral-shaped sculpture, which at first glance resembles an unrolled toilet paper roll, invites you to decipher the messages within, layer by layer, roll by roll.
The printed surface, filled with text fragments and images, evokes associations with familiar consumer slogans and clichés that are constantly delivered to us through media and advertising. Phrases like “be pretty,” “love the vogue,” and “be sexy” seem familiar at first glance, but in this context, they reveal their subversive, socially critical meaning. Hidden within the sculpture are representations of strong, multifaceted modern women who escape these clichés.
We attempt to bridge the gap between old notions of gender roles and their contemporary manifestations, uncovering the historical origins of femininity and questioning them within our modern society. This revelation and deconstruction are symbolically reinforced by the choice of the toilet paper roll as a central motif: it is as though we are stripping away the layers of gender images that have been rolled up and deeply entrenched over centuries.
The installation urges us to discard outdated and rigid images of femininity imposed on us by culture and society. At the same time, it conveys the urgency to redefine and revive feminism. It is time, as we show you, to dispose of obsolete gender roles (just as we throw away toilet paper) and make room for a new, just way of living together. The feminism presented here should no longer be dictated by the constraints and norms of the past but instead serve as a new foundation for coexistence.
Recognize in our work the insightful use of everyday materials, transformed into a new context. The combination of visual stimuli, the images on the toilet paper rolls, often depicting exaggerated, sexualized portrayals of women and provocative texts invites you to pause and reflect on the consumption of these images in our daily lives. The mundane and disposable medium of the toilet paper roll underscores the idea that these clichés and gender images should be devalued and discarded, just like the hygiene products on which they are displayed.
“Kindly Reveal of Multifarious Emancipation” is an art installation meant to challenge you, the viewer, to question your own ideas of femininity, gender roles, and emancipation. The artistic use of consumer goods, combined with both ancient and modern symbols, creates a provocative yet profound statement. This sculpture invites you to reflect on our own often hypocritical and hasty judgments within society.
Firenze 2009
