The video references an artist’s piece at Art Space Raleigh, NC where participants are told to hold a smile for as long as possible. Eventually the participant’s mouth and face becomes tired and the smile becomes a grimace.

I want to depart from this singular moment and involve a family: Mother, Father and Child. A happy family in transition. The scene mimics one found in an advertisement. A decisive moment captured by a commercial photographer of three models. Herein, the sellable moment is extended into reality and physical limitations of smiling.

I believe this is a comment on the products consumed by individuals in hopes of attaining perfection, in hopes of obtaining what the advertisement presents and promises. For example whiter teeth, a slimmer body, softer clothing or travel. The piece provides a circular motion found in the cradle to grave process of consumable products.

Annie Hogan wrote a nice piece on a collaborative artwork between Wafaa Bilal, Marylin (our School of Art and Design housekeeping professional), me, and herself. 

“As a result of Wafaa Bilal’s visit to ECU, an exhibition ‘Power Shift’ (working title) was installed in the Foyer space at the School of Art and Design at East Carolina University this week. A collaborative work between Marilyn (our wonderful janitor) Wafaa, Adam Jacono (photo grad) and myself explores performance and artmaking,  the performative moment using the ‘mop stroke’ and the mop as art making instrument, and repetitive stroke as body memory art gesture.”

For images of the installation and more info please visit anniehogan.com/blog