PROTECTION WALL
Soft Talismans, 2019
cotton, sock, synthetic fur, terry cloth, poly-fill
Tiny: 5 x 5 cm // Small: 10 x 10 cm // Medium: 11 x 20 cm // Large: 14 x 30 cm
This is a series of soft talismans that are made by sewing, machine embroidery and stuffing. The shapes are taken from different contexts and cultures like Hamsa, pads, and pubic wigs. They have different functions, but all of them are carried on the body for protection. Each object has external and internal shapes. I am creating dialogues between the objects by repeating the interior shapes and playing with their variations.
The origin of the Hamsa symbol is not certain, it can relate to different religions and cultures, particularly in Asia. Judaism and Israeli culture use this symbol, and it is part of the mainstream view. The function is protection and the object is wearable or displayed at the entrances of houses and businesses. Hamsa means 5 in Arabic, 5 fingers. The external shape represents the hand and the internal shape represents the eye that protects from the evil eye. In some cases the Hamsas will cover the whole wall for protection from evil demons.
The triad of lips, eye and vulva have the same abstract graphic shape. I play on this gray zone by multiplication, missing and adding lines. I am deconstructing the shapes and the body parts to ask questions about the hierarchy of the organs, and the sexuality of objects. What organs are used for blessing and what are used for cursing? I explore how small gestures shift the meanings of objects, and what are the cultural differences between organs and genitals?
