Maryland Institute College of Art; 2019 Multi Media Event You Are Here

TRANSLATION: MY DOG, MY BITCH

Ma Chienne emphasizes the strength and vulnerability of masculinity through tailored garments that subvert the white collar uniform. Beginning in 1876, the tailored suit became established as the uniform for the successful working man. Since its creation, there as been little evolution of the form. This fixity is representative of men’s limited options to express emotion, contrasted to the wide range of women’s wear and society’s acceptance of female emotion.

Placing masculine bodies in expressive garments allows me to connect with these people as humans rather than empty anonymous suits. I am extracting the rigid structure and adding vulnerability to the garments by working with materials that are usually reserved for women’s clothing. Speaking directly to the rejected man, I am giving him the power to express vulnerability through the clothing he wears on his back.

Documentation by Emma Cheshire

Music by Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University students; Joe Miller & Scott Li

Performed by Miles Barnett, Glen Smakula, Troy Taylor, Reuben Francois, Zack Parker, Joe Miller, Wyatt Accardi, and Danny Bitton.