BataTom Fantom

Kabinett Gallery

Zlin, Czech Republc, 2015

In collaboration

with

David Helan

Bata shoes is a Czechoslovakian, now, Czech, shoe company created in 1894 in and based in Zlin, Czech Republic. Parallel to it's communist/socialist-inspired philosophy of providing shelter, food and clothing as well as a profit-sharing scheme to employees, Tomas Bata became well-known for his office that was situated IN an elevator. Or rather, his office was an elevator. 

David and I had dreamed of being able to do a performance in an elevator and when we were invited to exhibit at Kabinett Gallery in Zlin - a gallery with an elevator- the performance was born.

As a supposed secretary of Bata, my role was woman-as-vessel. Carrying an expression that changed relatively little throughout the performance, her presence was stoic. Rather than 'performing' a role, or expressing a character, my goal was to non-express, to allow the actions to become the forefront.

Can one empty oneself? Can lack of expression be personality? Is personality expression?

The secretary removes the shoes of spectators in order to take an imprint of their souls. Dipping the shoe in water then stamping paper, she sprinkles flour upon the print to then reveal it's marking in the flourescent lighting. 
However, as much as her boss Bata expressed discontent, anger or disinterest, her emptiness filled the space. As an elevator moves through a structure, information, experience and exchange moved through her without effect.