Taking Care: An Exploration of Care Through Art and Intimacy
Van Deusen, Megan
Citations
Abstract
Care, commonly defined as attentiveness, concern, or interest, manifests itself diversely. From the emotions and exchanges between loved ones to the performance of basic actions like eating and sleeping, care is intrinsic to the human experience. My recent body of conceptual artwork, “Taking Care,” draws on historical traditions of ritual and craftsmanship to explore and elaborate upon the endemic occurrences of caretaking in my life and intimate relationships. “Taking Care” presents evidence, artifacts, and reflections of the needs and instances in my life that have required care, and their corresponding responses, through the use of video, painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation. These artworks seek to question and quantify the meaning and significance of commonplace care rituals, by using both direct documentation of care such as hair remnants or videos of cleaning and traditional art mediums like drawing or sculpture.