PORTRAIT OF WEEPING

The Finnish Women's Association Unioni, Helsinki, 2002

Itkun muotokuva, Naisasialiitto Unioni ry, Bulevardi 11, Helsinki, 2002

Weeping is the anarchy of emotions: undesirable sounds, slimy snot, salty taste, and red, swollen eyes. We don't see any beauty in weeping. In Finnish culture tears have been, still are, a sign of weakness and defeat. We're ashamed of showing our pain. We cry in solitude, hidden from the world. 

Materials: The furniture of the room, white sheets covering the furniture, plastic cushions with filling of cotton balls in pink, light blue, and white, tulle mesh fabric covering the crystal chandelier, black and white photographs in the room of women who were forerunners of the Finnish feminist movement, photographs of myself in color with pink and light blue passepartout.