In Nowhere. No, where? Now here. Brigitte Sampogna draws a connective line between laundry and the cyclical nature of self-discovery. From clothes to linens, textiles constitute an intimate layer of the material worlds we build around ourselves. Overtime, these garments pass through a, sometimes careful, sometimes hurried, cycle of personal or familial care. Stains endure scrubbing, holes are mended, and new becomes old so that layers of the past exist within the present. Eventually some articles may be discarded, while others pass to the next generation. In short, laundry is relentless, and consequently, it is an apt metaphor for the ongoing work of getting to know one’s self.
Sampogna’s installation consists of a clothesline laden with handmade garments hanging over an area of green turf. Waving in an imagined breeze, Sampogna’s textiles are constructed in translucent materials, including lace, organza, and plastic, which render them not entirely wearable. Whereas bedding, robes, and underwear typically protect, in Sampogna’s installation they are delicate and revealing, capturing the way identity formation can feel: intimate and exposing. Moreover, just like a clothesline in a suburban backyard, the garments are in plain view and therefore susceptible to scrutiny.
Nowhere. No, where? Now here. honours the role of rest and surrender in grappling with and expressing a sense of self, since, on a clothesline, each article is left to dry at its own speed. The notion of time is further explored within the installation’s title, which carries a sense of place, transformation, and now-ness into this work about identity. The installation also considers the potential for artificiality in confined spaces and the gendered nature of care work. Most importantly, it asks viewers to reflect on the stories they tell themselves about who they are and who they believe others to be.
Text: Hannah Keating
