Exhibit Description

A reoccurring theme within the work of Marina Bolmini is similar to a journey of finding identity through the use of art. She explores different mediums and expands on works from fellow artists. In this exhibit her works progress, manipulate and entice the viewer. Those that choose to view the gallery are transformed into a digital atmosphere where the works are experienced virtually. Many works already posses a sense of digital imaging and therefore it is quite easy to absorb the atmosphere. Ranging from her earlier works to the more recent, the transition may not be so clear. Her work comments on the acceptance of female fantasy by stretching the view of females and where they fit into society.

The title of the show; "Were my thighs too sexy for you, baby?" is a direct quote referring to Chun-Li's artwork in Street Fighter IV. This quote does not particularly sum up the exhibition but it does attract attention, and is a stark contrast to the quotes displayed in the exhibition. The characters from the Domestic fight 2&3-D series are from the Street Fighter video game and thus fitting to include quotes from one of the women depicted. Interestingly enough this quote is sexually suggestive, ultimately demeaning herself as woman. Bolmini does not directly connect with this quote but it can be used more as a commentary. As Bolmini challenges the struggle women face from the influences of society, this female character falls victim to this very trap. In her crotched videogame still shots, “Domestic Fight 2-D”, she depicts the defeated individuals at their lowest points. So many times society disregards the defeated and only shines attention toward the victors. And just as these characters are defeated physically, Chun-Li is defeated mentally when she falls trap to the idea that she has to give into sexual degradation of herself.

Beginning with her earlier works, she draws you playfully in with a disjointed puzzle of the many faces of Bolmini. She takes on five different characters ranging each exhibiting different hairstyles. Several pieces lure the viewer to continue through the exhibit, leading to the rest of the works. The works that follow include a few images from her series entitled, “Boring Film Stills”. These works are digitalized images of the photographs taken by Cindy Sherman from the late 1970s.Bolmini uses her tattoo repeatedly to help distinguish herself as subject within the pictures. Here that tattoo is used as a device to label herself in a very bold and obvious way. She explores the same idea Cindy Sherman is capturing through the changing of self-identity within her series, “Film Stills”.

Bolmini also shares ideas with feminist artists. One of which, artist Vanessa Beecroft, has the same mentality when analyzing the post-feminist gains achieved by 1970s era women artists. Depicted here are two photographs of performances organized by Beecroft that have been digitally altered by Bolmini. Some quotes from female artists of that movement accompany Bolmini’s works for this exhibition. The quotes are intended to point out the weaknesses females face from day to day. The voices of the quotes, Judy Chicago and Kiki Smith, both describe the struggles they faced when trying to establish themselves as artists. Both artists comment on observations made from personal experiences relating to the message projected in Bolmini’s work.