Necktie Ballgown

I constructed the Necktie Ballgown by draping and sculpting approximately 60 men's neckties into this kimono-like dress and then wore this very heavy costume during the performance below.

Landscape Action #2: Climbing Rocks in Necktie Ballgown

This sequence of images are video stills from a performance at Gaviota Beach near Santa Barbara, CA. The performance is the second in my ongoing series of Landscape Actions and is called Climbing Rocks in Necktie Ballgown.

I climbed from the beach to the top of several large boulders while wearing a ballgown made of men's neckties. I constructed the costume by draping, sculpting and stitching together approximately 60 neckties into this kimono-like form. The garment is extremely heavy (about 10 pounds) and cumbersome, which makes climbing difficult.

I recorded this performance not long after completing my MFA at CalArts. The action was a personal commentary on femininity and professionalization.