Laura Paolini

Laura Paolini (she/her) currently lives in Ottawa, unceded and unsurrendered Anishinaabe Algonquin territory. Her artwork is primarily conceptual and manifests through installations, videos, and performances, often unfolding where these forms meet, merge and collapse. She has performed at art-based events and festivals, most recently during PERF; a performance art Biennale hosted by AXENÉO7 (evening curated by Anna Khimasia and Thomas Grondin). She has also exhibited in various Canadian institutions including Hamilton Artists Inc, Xpace Cultural Centre, The Ottawa Art Gallery and Art Mûr during the 17th edition of Fresh Paint/New Construction (2021).

Website: www.laurapaolini.com

Instagram: @laura.paolini

Title: Cloche

Through the final assignment of ‘the poetic image’ workshop, I was given the opportunity to respond to Maya Deren’s film Meshes of the Afternoon (1943). While studying the film, I was drawn to the use of doubling and reflection Deren achieved through camera techniques, as well as her use of mirrors. As a response, I mimicked gestures from the film and used glass cloche jars to replicate particular scenes and props. Using the jars with the glass table created evocative shadows and reflections. The resulting work is an exploration using objects of the same material (glass) to warp, frame and shape the perception of the performing body.