MARIA COHEN
Unfolding Identity
This series documents several stages of deconstructing painting within space. Each piece records the interaction between the artist and the work.
I began by hanging the piece on a wall, then moved it to the floor. I found myself drawn into the object — folding and unfolding it, again and again. The impulse was to deconstruct painting itself; to dissolve the sense of it as a fixed, finished thing. I pushed further, engaging with the painting as though it were a sexual act or a dance. I rolled myself into it like a carpet. I felt held there — stuck, yet safe and warm. This sensation recalled a life of comfort and stability, offering warmth and security, while a voice inside whispered insistently, urging release.
The deconstruction of painting becomes a way of showing the process of folding and unfolding identity — through an erotic, embodied engagement between a person and the work. The folds are layers, symbols of the traps accumulated over time that cannot simply be undone. The painting traps itself, and yet there is only one way forward: to keep unfolding, to find my voice, to continue the process — every day.
Deconstruction of painting
The folded painting explores the concept of identity in art. The act of folding can be seen as a metaphor for how identities can be shaped and changed by external forces.
One approach to this project could be to unfold the painting and examine how the folds have affected the image. Has the image been distorted or transformed in some way? How has the folding impacted the overall composition and meaning of the painting?
Another approach could be to leave the painting folded and use the folds themselves as a canvas for creating a new image or design. This approach would highlight the idea of embracing change and finding new possibilities in unexpected circumstances.
Regardless of the approach taken, this project could prompt deeper reflection on the idea of identity and how it is influenced by the environment and outside factors. It could also serve as a reminder of the importance of flexibility and adaptability in navigating life's challenges.
