The SHE Project
Part I
A collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Mary Admasian
“The SHE Project” – part 1 is a collaborative exhibit created by Vermont multidisciplinary artists Kristen M. Watson and Mary Admasian. The two have a common interest in creating interactive works that explore what women deal with as they transition from youth to seniority with regard to appearance and self-image in the highly visual social media era, where celebrity culture reigns, and where we much more frequently see ourselves and are seen by others. Consequently there is a phenomenon of personal social branding that has emerged.
With a nod to the tradition of femmage, installation art constructed of found and saved objects that expresses a female narrative, Watson and Admasian use mirrors, cosmetics, beautification products, and natural elements to address themes around self-confidence, worthiness, and sexual power tied to youth. They explore their own experiences as targets of aggressively marketed “beautification” products that promise youth, glamour, and success. Women are apprehensive yet willing consumers, but at what cost? Watson & Admasian create compelling works that comment on the influence of history, social norms, perception, social media, and vanity on the current state of womanhood.
Below are photos of finished artworks, prototypes, works in progress, and documentation of the growing collection of makeup and beauty products donated by dozens of women in northwest Vermont.
Stay tuned for more images or follow us on Instagram @kmwatsonvt & @maryadmasian
Press for The SHE Project (click on the links below)
Vermont Public Radio Art Hounds Interview with Mary Williams. Airdate: October 20, 2016.
"The SHE Project: Art Explores Manufactured Beauty" Art New England, by Amy Lilly, October 12, 2016.
"Who is She?", Take Magazine, by Cassidy Anthony, October 3, 2016.
Seven Days Art Review by Amy Lilly, September 21, 2016.
About the images:
From the top, left to right:
- rəˈflekt, kristen m. watson, 2016, cosmetics ingredients list written using make up on mirror, overall dimensions approximately 60" x 240". written alphabetically by mirror from left to right. These mirrors document the letters A-P. Contact artist for pricing.
- /rәˈflekt/ is an ongoing project documenting the unregulated chemicals and ingredients contained in health & beauty products. More than 10,500 chemicals are used in H&B products. Many are known carcinogens, endocrine and reproductive system disruptors. Women use three times as many H&B products as men daily, exposing themselves to over 80 unique chemicals. For more information visit: http://www.cir-safety.org/ingredients and http://www.ewg.org/research/exposing-cosmetics-cover-up
100% Natural I & II, Mary Admasian, 2016, Wood mirror, barbed wire, found objects, grasses, HABA products, $440
Lost Innocence, Mary Admasian, Barbed wire, netting, Charaxes butterfly, netting, floral wire, and thread, $560
Blessed, Mary Admasian, Barbed wire, silk, gold wire, wedding veil, $1,250
- Love Thyself, Mary Admasian, Vintage wood mirror, white wash, silk covered barbed wire, $1,250
- Third Eye Blind, Mary Admasian, White paint, barbed wire, silk, $1,250
- Life in the cabinet (timeline of a woman's life) Kristen M. Watson, Medicine cabinets, H&B products, digital print collage, vanity, vintage mirror, $1,315
- comments on the external social and marketing influences that target girls from a very young age with a paradigm that impresses the importance of body type and "age appropriate" appearance including the consumption & application of dozens of beauty products to gain social acceptance, professional success, love, partnership, and children.
- Objects of industry (Pin up), Kristen M. Watson, Velcro curlers, Gil Elvgren art reproductions, adhesive, acrylic gesso, mirror, $815
- True/False, Kristen M. Watson, False eyelashes, cosmetics, acrylic gesso, mirror, adhesive on canvas, $315
- Eyeview, Mary Admasian, Birch panel, acrylic, toy vanity, glitter nail polish, eye shadow, $315
Am I Pretty Enough for You Yet?, Kristen M. Watson in collaboration with Mary Admasian, Dressing table & chair, cosmetics, beauty products and ephemera, lingerie, $1,375
25/75, Kristen M. Watson, Color-processed & natural human hair, acrylic boxes, adhesive, foam core on wooden mounts, $560
Additional images of opening reception, in studio processes and prototypes.
Contact the artists directly to inquire about exhibiting this installation or making a purchase.
Castleton University Lecture Panel Discussion, March 9, 2017
