THE WARDROBE ARCHIVES is a collective exhibit made of personal items contributed by over twenty women from a Bay Area community. The collection was displayed within an actual domestic piece of furniture - a wardrobe - found in the residential space that hosted the FIVE DOMESTIC ACTS interdisciplinary durational event in May 2019. The installation exhibit unfolded over two days with a series of performances and acts that activated the domestic areas of a residential space.
The participants were invited to contribute personal items from their own homes and lives that presented the realities or perceptions of domesticity and womanhood.
Each contribution was submitted in an archival box and the contents included books, garments, food, documents, flowers, toys, tools, diaries and more. The diversity of the box contents was determined by the participants independent choices, their personal views and life circumstances. The “un-curated” approach of the project created opportunities for discussions and ideas and in many cases the proposed items did not fall into the “object” category but took the form of a personal letter, a note, an interview transcript.
Contributors listed in the catalogue pages [6-7]
Performance: Hearther Arnettt from kristindamrowcompany
Exhibition and performance image credits: Kathy LaBarre
THE WARDROBE ARCHIVES CATALOGUE
THE WARDROBE ARCHIVES PERFORMANCE
