Crossing the Line

Chambers, Paula ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8245-9880 (2021) Crossing the Line. [Performance]

Abstract

The output is a performative artwork consisting of fifty meters of crime scene tape created from appliqued blue and white satin ribbon. Research Process: Crossing the Line was made the during the Covid 19 summer of 2020 in response to escalating domestic violence incidents triggered by the pandemic restrictions. UK crime scene tape has the phrase ‘Police Line Do Not Cross’ printed in blue on white. This phrase is subverted by replacing the word police, with every other word that might precede the word line; coast line, waist line, straight line etc. With the addition of ‘Do Not Cross’, these textual interventions take on multiple layers of meaning. Coast Line Do Not Cross becomes a comment on immigration, Waist Line Do Not Cross a comment on sexual harassment, Straight Line Do Not Cross on transphobia. Chambers performed with this tape walking in and around her home, climbing out of the living room window and returning through the front door. This work exists as a film of this performance and as a sculptural object. Research Insights: Several new works were made during the Covid-19 pandemic as a response to the circumstances women found themselves confronted with: domestic violence, depression, loneliness, isolation and desire to escape from home. This was the first performance of an artwork which led to further investigation of embodied actions arising from sculptural works. Dissemination: In addition to public performances, Mis(s)placed Women? concluded with an online event and discussion panel at the Centre for Cultural Decontamination, Belgrade, Chambers being an invited participant. Crossing the Line was performed live around the buildings in front of the audience, and streamed live to online participants. Crossing the Line was shown at a film screening event for House, Home and the Domestic Symposium at Coventry University, 22nd October 2021.

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