Previous Work; Title: Reluctance

Reluctance was a work I made for a project last year, the criteria being a) the piece had to be worn or inhabited, and b) the piece had to be ergonomic, or talk about an aspect of your life, e.g. habits, reflections on human nature etc.

Reluctance, Bianca Pauley, 2014, paperclips and metal zipper

I made it from paperclips, twisted together so that they wouldn't shift against each other. Instead they were restrictive, and at the same time decorative. My intention had been to make the covered area slightly larger to more effectively restrict upper body and neck movement, however the process was quite long and I ran out of time.

Reluctance  speaks about the restrictions of societal norms and behaviours, as well as my own reluctance to participate when I personally find conforming to common expectation difficult and overall anxiety inducing. The use of paperclips and zippers are additional metaphors as objects usually used to 'keep things together'. The structure holds me in a certain position, one that feels uncomfortable and unnatural, which reflects common sentiments over socialising, it certainly does my own.

I enjoyed both the process and the physicality of this work and would like to continue expanding on similar ideas, potentially explored through similar materials and processes.