2023 | Fabric, Found Objects
Chime is a reflection on gender and gender nonconformance in a society that is structured around strict binaries. Our society traditionally does not have the language or social infrastructure to describe and conceptualize the experiences of those who do not identify as men or women. This leaves genderqueer people to construct their own identities with a patchwork of terms, symbols, and experiences. The lack of recognition or understanding of nonbinary identities also creates a sense of alienation that can quickly lead to demonization. But while these are issues, they can also be reclaimed as a source of empowerment. Embracing the ability to construct your identity from the ground up without pretense or expectations can be a wonderful thing. In a similar vein, embracing the fact that some people will be scared of you can be empowering as well.
Chime takes inspiration from the ancient Greek mythological creature of the same name; a creature that is a hybrid of several different vicious creatures. This reference is used to relate the idea of patchwork identities, which is further enforced by the literal patchwork and visible stitching used to create the garments. Chimera’s androgynous appearance is achieved not by excluding gendered symbols, but by combining opposing gendered symbols to create a contradictory and ambiguous appearance. This again furthers the idea of patchworks while also making the gender non-conformity more daring and explicit.