“I AM GREAT?” is a video installation which explores shifts between self-confidence and anxiety. The title of the work is chosen as a concept and question about the perception of identity. As a question rather than a statement, I present to the audience the opportunity to discover and examine the correlation between identity and emotion.
This work offers to challenge a sense of identity, which is often formed by discernment of one’s self and projected social expectations. Exploring this minutiae is fascinating as small subtleties in facial expression can mean so much. Choosing to explore the moment where identity becomes compromised for approval by others, is true identity hidden from others and the self? Which nuance is indicative of this transition and can it be truly seen or exposed? Through these questions I want to recognize a common visual trait of internal and external discourse that defines confidence and belief.
The video installation also happens to explore social pre-election & post-election affects. From Trumps infamous slogan, “Make America Great Again” the work draws attention to implications of the phrase as well as personal identification with its significance.
Documentation by Mikayla Whitmore
