H(ER)-istory 1.0 (for 1 performer, sex doll, hair carpet and electronics)

Duration: 11'
Program Note:

I performed a noise composition by detaching wires from a life-size sex doll with its mouth sewn shut, inspired by the tragic real-life case of a 3-year-old girl named Su Li, who was abused by her mother - both a victim and perpetrator of local sexism. The doll was part of a performance-art event where I began by binding myself with women’s stockings and performed on a 4-meter hair carpet, woven from the doll’s hair and intertwined with my own. Through this performance, I explore the difficult journey of a woman as she crawls from her authentic self (me) to the socially disciplined and projected self (doll), and ultimately sets herself free. At the end, I embraced and consoled the doll, wrapping both of us in the carpet.

This work incorporates voice, electronics, improvisation, installation and sensors, aiming to evoke a ritualistic ceremony and to reveal, discuss, and protest violence against women. I highlight silenced, oppressed, exploited, and objectified herstories: the doll’s story, my own story, and the millions of unspoken stories of women.

This project is nominated and supported by Forecast Forum Edition 9, mentored by Ute Wassermann.

Performed: August 3, 2024 @ Radialsystem, Berlin
Copyright: ©Forecast 2024
Camera: Stephan Talneau
Photo: Camille Blake

more about…

On the afternoon when the doll was delivered, at first, she was nothing more than a product to me. After meticulously cleaning her from head to toe—or perhaps because of researching and editing over a hundred audio clips of women recounting their experiences of violence—I began to develop an emotional attachment to her.

In the week leading up to the performance, I fell asleep every night holding her in my arms. To transport her to Berlin for the performance, I purchased a separate plane ticket for her.