The process of self-preservation in an environment that feels unnatural—or is perceived as such—requires the activation of coping mechanisms focused on survival, self-care, and maintaining the functions of both the physical and social body.
Establishing routines, embracing impulsiveness in the creative process, and consciously observing materiality allow the body to exist safely within a controlled ecosystem.
The Coping Mechanism project emerged from research into the production process, focusing on the importance of this phase in the life of the project. It was driven by questions about the value of the making and research stages: on one hand, as a way to distill my identity within the project, and on the other, as a method to deepen my understanding of myself through the experience.
The collection features handmade embroidery, silkscreen prints, handmade embossing, a rice mosaic, drawings, and a video projection that fills the room with rhythmic sound, creating a sonic landscape for the exhibition.
Each wall piece represents countless hours of repetitive methods, distilled into a practice of patience and reflection. Together, some works form larger patterns, hinting at an early reflection on the long-term outcomes of the process.
The video component consists of three panels played in an infinite loop, each representing one involuntary bodily function: heartbeat, breathing, and blinking. These functions, controlled by the autonomic parasympathetic nervous system, are deeply connected to our physical and mental states.