My Life as a Doll opens November 11, 2011

On view at DiverseWorks Artspace November 11 through December 17, 2011.

In the collaborative installation My Life as a Doll, sculptor Tara Conley and writer Tria Wood are creating an 800 square-foot residence with rooms defined by pages from a gigantic book. Seductive aspects of this fantasy world slowly give way to reveal the perils for a woman living her life as a doll. By exploring personal spaces and narrative elements of this character’s life, viewers encounter a complex dialogue about power structures, childhood expectations, and gender distinctions that take root early on and continue to shape us as adults.

This ambitious project includes:

• A documentary film by Sharon Ferranti
• A color catalog with an essay by Susie Kalil and photography by Felix Sanchez
• A panel discussion of current social, cultural, and artistic issues raised by My Life as a Doll on December 3rd at 2:00 pm. Panelists include:
• Kimberly Davenport, Director and Chief Curator, Rice Gallery
• Dr. Elizabeth Gregory, Professor and Director of Women’s Studies, University of Houston
• Dr. Nels P. Highberg, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Rhetoric, University of Hartford
• “Artist Talks and Tours” with Tria Wood and Tara Conley
• Creative workshops with artist Thedra Culler-Ledford, writer Tria Wood and sculptor Tara Conley

DONATE

Your contributions will make this incredible project a reality! For your convenience, donations may be made online at diverseworks.org (please make the notation “My Life as a Doll” in the “Personal Note” section). You may also donate by phone at 713-223-8346. DiverseWorks is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit corporation. Contributions for My Life as a Doll made to DiverseWorks are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.