Single channel video. 03:52 minutes

 

In this work, the artist has her head completely covered in tulle, unable to see or breath normally. She proceeds – through a somewhat cumbersome process - to unveil a smile. The smile - a symbol of warmth and welcoming - however, does not comfort us. Questioning ideas around toxic positivity in the face of the pandemic, this action invites us to think about the muddiness, contradictions and overflow of emotions we are going through in a situation that is uncertain, and how hard it can be to keep a smile on your face amidst tragedy. It also references the good face we put for others – the roles we play on social media – and the disjunction between virtual and physical reality.

2020.