Alyx
Beth
Billy
Hunter
Gwyn
Statement
Gender has always existed as an intangible to me- a series of superficial and inconsequential characteristics that are simultaneously rigid and surprisingly fluid in their ability to dictate an individual’s place and value within society. Modern gender structures seem to exist with the sole purpose of grinding down the individuality of human experiences and sorting them neatly into a binary system of 1’s and 0’s, X’s and O’s, and M’s or F’s. Binarity exists in direct response to these structures, using archetypal characters, digital manipulation, and surreal visual effects to highlight the arbitrariness of gendered characteristics and expectations. Blending practical studio self-portraiture with extensive digital compositing and visual effects, Binarity employs the hallmarks of “less desirable” digital photographs - color banding, pixelation, JPEG damage, etc. - to poke holes in a nuanceless view of gender and question the belief of immutable gendered characteristics. The well refined nature of the self portraits act in direct contrast to the chaotic surreality of the backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of one’s superficial image when attempting to conform to an ever-rigidifying ideal of gendered existence. Through Binarity, I hope to spark conversation regarding the necessity of gender roles within our modern society and encourage viewers to see gender for its fluidity rather than its binarity.