Safe Place to Breath

"Safe Place to Breathe" is a performance project that explores the pressure on women to maintain a perfect image in public. The project features a semi-opaque outer dress symbolizing the facade that many women feel compelled to maintain, concealing inner turmoil. The inner bodysuit is teal, representing the sexual assault awareness ribbon, and features a pattern of intrusive thoughts experienced by sexual assault survivors.

The performance was a one-time, site-specific piece. Audience members entered a room where I stood wearing the garment. Through the performance, they were immersed in the world inside my head as I led them from my childhood home to my "safe place" at the park. They experienced the overwhelming intrusion of thoughts, and when we arrived at the swings, I removed the outer garment, symbolizing the relief of being able to finally breathe.