In this artwork, I explored the representation of women in male-led pop music as an unhealthy obsession in analogy with the obsession with cellphones. In two performances sessions of respectively 45 and 25 minutes, I licked red homemade hard candy from the camera of my cellphone until reaching the glass. The choice of this substance is directly connected with the constant comparison of the hot girl with candy (e.g. Lollipop by Lil Wayne ad Candy Shop by 50 Cent). I superposed the ambiguous images with the sound of an abusive love letter made up from pop music lyrics sang by men in the last eight years, read by Cortana – the voice of my computer. The 4:19 minutes video has an intriguing beginning, as the audience cannot fully grasp what they are seeing and hearing. As the image becomes clearer – someone is licking the screen, they also realize that what they are hearing are pop song lyrics – violent pop song lyrics.
This work was presented as part of the Polyphony exhibition at Emily Carr University of Art & Design, from March 18th to 26th 2018.
It was also shown at Centre Voix Visuelle for the Digital Vice exhibition from June 7th to July 2nd 2018, where the artwork received a Honorable Mention from the guest judges of the Voix Jeunes Talents contest.
It was also shown at Centre Voix Visuelle for the Digital Vice exhibition from June 7th to July 2nd 2018, where the artwork received a Honorable Mention from the guest judges of the Voix Jeunes Talents contest.
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Content of the letter
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Baby, let me come and change your life.[1] I decided you look well on me.[2] And I gotta get a little taste.[3][4] Devil eyes telling me, “Come and get it”.[5] I know you want it.[6] I already know what you wanna do.[7] I tried to domesticate you, but you’re an animal.[8] I’m trying to keep my hands off, but you’re begging me for more.[9] Hush, hush, we both can’t fight it.[10] You know that I don’t play.[11] I need it every night.[12] Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me.[13] Look into my eyes and I’ll own you.[14] What, you thing I’m playing, baby girl?[15] I’ll tear up that body, dominate you until you had enough.[16] And I’ll wake up feeling satisfied but guilty as hell.[17] I got my mind made up and I can’t let go.[18] ‘Cause I hate when the moment’s expected.[19] Maybe you think you can hide. I can smell your scent for miles.[20] Don’t believe me, just watch.[21] I got a dirty mind. I got filthy ways.[22] I’m betting you love creep mode.[23] I mean no disrespect. It’s my right to be hellish.[24] Like a big bad wolf, I’m born to be bad and bad to the bone.[25] And I can’t stop.[26] I apologize even though I know it’s lies.[27] I’m seeing the pain, seeing the pleasure.[28] That’s alright ‘cause you’re mine.[29] Blame it on my confidence, blame it on your measurements.[30] You got exactly what you asked for.[31] And you deserve it.[32] What are you gonna do with all that meat?[33] How low can you go?[34] You won’t forget.[35] You can blow my whistle, baby.[36] Let me put this big boy in your life.[37]You wanna say no, what do you mean?[38] We both know we can’t go without it.[39] I’m gonna show you how, come with me now.[40] And you’re gonna have to do it at my tempo.[41] Don’t waste time with a masterpiece.[42] See I abducted you, so I tell you what to do.[43] I’m proud to call you my bitch.[44] You’re irreplaceable, a collectible just like fine china.[45] Damn baby, you got a bright future behind you.[46]
[1] Jason Derulo, Wiggle [2] The Wanted, Glad you came [3] Maroon 5, Sugar [4] Drake, Hotline Bling [5] Usher, Scream [6] Robin Thicke, Blurred lines [7] Enrique Iglesias, Tonight I’m loving you [8] Robin Thicke, Blurred lines [9] Enrique Iglesias, I like it [10] Neon Trees, Animal [11] Drake, One dance [12] DNCE, Cake by the ocean [13] Justin Timberlake, Not a bad thing [14] Maroon 5, Moves like Jagger [15] Flo Rida, Low [16] Flo Rida, Wild ones [17] Maroon 5, One more night [18] OneRepublic, Love runs out [19] The Weeknd, Earned it [20] Maroon 5, Animals [21] Bruno Mars, Uptown Funk [22] Kanye West, E.T. [23] Flo Rida, Whistle [24] Nick Jonas, Jealous [25] Taio Cruz, Break your heart [26] The Chainsmokers, Closer [27] Eminem, Love the way you lie [28] Zayne, Pillowtalk [29] Justin Timerblake, Suit and Tie [30] Bruno Mars, Finesse [31] Drake, Hotline Bling [32] The Weeknd, Earned it [33] Justin Timberlake, Filthy [34] Ludacris, How low can you go? [35] Pitbull, Timber [36] Flo Rida, Whistle [37] T.I., Whatever you like [38] Justin Bieber, What do you mean? [39] The Weeknd, I can’t feel my face [40] Kongos, Come with me now [41] The Weeknd, Hills [42] DNCE, Cake by the ocean [43] Kanye West, E.T. [44] Usher, I don’t mind [45] Chris Brown, Fine China [46] Jason Derulo, Wiggle |