My videos and video installations confront dominant ideals and norms surrounding gender and sex, simultaneously revealing and thwarting the desire for an idealized feminine identity.
I often perform dual roles in my work: that of protagonist, subjugating my body to the eyes of the camera and the public, and that of director, involving the spectator in the construction of narrative and character. In my recent work, I complicate my position by relinquishing control and introducing new participants, exploring alternative vantage points and behavioral codes. Carefully considered viewing environments deny the privilege of safe and passive observation, further heightening the awareness of one’s voyeuristic inclinations.
Maria Petschnig