Domina Dea Speaks

Agnes Scott College currently has an exhibit in the Dalton Gallery that features photographs from the Forest McMullin project titled “Day & Night”.  The series features several pairs of photos that explores who we are, what we show the public, our “day face” if you will, and who we become at night, while in the privacy of our homes.   I had the pleasure of meeting Forest during the summer of 2009 when he approached me about his vision for the project and asked me to participate.   The end result of our photo shoot, and other images from the series, can been seen in the Dalton Gallery trough March 13th.

On Monday, February 28th at 7:00 pm, I will be sitting on a  panel with the photographer, Forest McMullin & Professor of Woman’s Studies, Beth Hackett, in the Dalton Gallery to discuss the “Day & Night” photo project, the images they portray and misconceptions about the BDSM lifestyle.

From Mr. McMullin; Artist Statement for “Day & Night”:

Day & Night is an examination of identity. Most of us have different ways we behave and different faces we wear, depending on the circumstances in which we find ourselves. There’s the work face, the family face, the face with friends, the one with strangers. These faces merge into the complex construct that is our identity. Perhaps each face is as discreet as a separate identity. With some, these identities are nearly indistinguishable from one to the next. For others, they may be radically different.

When it comes to sexuality, the discussion can become much more complex. We may describe ourselves as male or female, straight or gay, bisexual or transgender and at their core, these descriptors define, to some degree, sexual practice. And these practices often define how we envision ourselves, how we want others to see us, and how we choose to navigate the world. It is at the center of our identity and yet it is also the most private expression of that identity. I am curious about the notions of private versus public and how we understand disparities between the two.

These images look at the faces individuals present to the world and contrasts that with the one saved for only a select few. The work challenges assumptions of what is considered normal and acceptable and asks the viewer to re-assess how they see and judge themselves and everyone around them.

Please join us Monday for what I believe will be an enlightening conversation about BDSM and those who embrace the lifestyle.

© 2011, Dea. All rights reserved.