Bodies of Thought

Abbey Proctor, 2011, Bodies of thought [inkjet photographs, paper mounted in frame, dimensions variable]

This work brings into question the importance of physical appearance when identifying an individual, creating an emphasis on the core human self while questioning the validity of stereotyping.

The core self is an extremely fragile, yet strong thing that is present within each of us, a thing that is not a physical structure residing inside the body, but a composite entity that is a product of the thoughts and interactions between the mind and body. It is a construction of the mind, one that is strong and robust enough to withstand constant change and partial demolition and it is here, within this seemingly fragile, composite state that lies the strength of the self. A composite or a collection of things such as the self is able to have items come and go or be damaged without necessarily destroying the entity as a whole, enabling the constant functionality of us as human beings throughout life. It is this self that makes us who we are as individuals, enabling us to grow and become emotionally stronger, determining our personal identity, and making each of us distinguishable from the other. Although the physical, external body seems to define us, it is merely an external shell that embodies this self, it is the internal thought processes and interactions that are the essence of each individual; the body is essential to the functionality of these thoughts, but it does not define our essence.

This is my final installation. If you can imagine walking into a small room; the dictionary and plates are on the wall to the right of the door, the portraits of myself on the wall in front of you, a wall to the left consists of a big window and no photographs, and the wall behind the door is where the four portraits and text live.

I'm tied between explaining everything, why each piece is where it is, how each one relates to the other and just leaving this post where it is and letting whoever reads this put their own interpretation onto it. I know I've explained each individual work in previous posts, but I don't think I will explain everything in detail.

Hope you like it!