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Autonomy

Autonomy is a 5 minute film which consists of a series of performative actions, within a secluded environment. The work raises questions about feelings of entrapment and confinement, and suggests a strive for freedom and a sense of escapism. The narrative is centered around a white wooden birdcage placed on top of a white table. The artist is seen sitting awkwardly, crouched and squashed underneath the table, where she then creates a hole through to the birdcage and blows up a balloon using a bicycle pump. While setting out to create a sense of autonomy, layers of contradiction also lie within the work, which is demonstrated towards the end of the performance when the balloon rises within the confines of the birdcage and then detaches and deflates.

Gemma Copp