Overcontrol

Location

SU 216

Department

Art

Session

Session 7

Abstract

My presentation is on a project which formed from a thesis exhibition called Overcontrol. Overcontrol is a series of ten black and white photographs embroidered with red embroidery floss that depicts mental health disorders I have struggled or am struggling with. The term overcontrol comes from a form of therapy called Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RODBT). In RODBT, self-control is a spectrum between undercontrol (i.e. allowing emotions to control decisions) or overcontrol (i.e. controlling what one shows) (Lynch, 2018). Overcontrol shows my desire to contain my composure through photography when there is little to no control over the comorbidity of my mental health illnesses. When disclosing my history, I have control on how much information is given to others, allowing me to be vulnerable on my terms. Overcontrol utilizes controlled studio lighting, a bare black background, and me as the model. This permits me to control everything in the photograph. Once printed, the pigment print is embroidered with red embroidery floss. This technique makes me become personal with each disorder. It also directs the viewers’ eyes to a representation of what I hide about myself. According to a study done by Mentzel et al. (2017), the color red is associated with dominance. The use of red embroidery floss represents the dominance my mental health disorders have over me. Although I appear put-together, Overcontrol allows me to push my comfortability farther and attempt to let go of control.

Comments

Nate Mathews and Kim Ambriz are the faculty sponsors of this project.

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Apr 19th, 11:20 AM

Overcontrol

SU 216

My presentation is on a project which formed from a thesis exhibition called Overcontrol. Overcontrol is a series of ten black and white photographs embroidered with red embroidery floss that depicts mental health disorders I have struggled or am struggling with. The term overcontrol comes from a form of therapy called Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RODBT). In RODBT, self-control is a spectrum between undercontrol (i.e. allowing emotions to control decisions) or overcontrol (i.e. controlling what one shows) (Lynch, 2018). Overcontrol shows my desire to contain my composure through photography when there is little to no control over the comorbidity of my mental health illnesses. When disclosing my history, I have control on how much information is given to others, allowing me to be vulnerable on my terms. Overcontrol utilizes controlled studio lighting, a bare black background, and me as the model. This permits me to control everything in the photograph. Once printed, the pigment print is embroidered with red embroidery floss. This technique makes me become personal with each disorder. It also directs the viewers’ eyes to a representation of what I hide about myself. According to a study done by Mentzel et al. (2017), the color red is associated with dominance. The use of red embroidery floss represents the dominance my mental health disorders have over me. Although I appear put-together, Overcontrol allows me to push my comfortability farther and attempt to let go of control.