Catya Plate

The Clothespin Freaks sculptures comment on congenital anomalies as well as reproduction and genetic manipulation, particularly human cloning.

As with certain Siamese twins, the Clothespin Freaks Quadruplets, Triplets and Twins are conjoined at their skulls and bellies. Ornamental shapes following the outlines of two, three or four small joined human brains are cut out of fabric. The marked contours of the brain folds are embroidered by hand with red thread onto these patterns like little "cranial flowers". The completed "flowers" are sewn atop the Freaks' heads by pushing aside the hair. The uniting "umbilical cord" is made of elastic, sewn and encased in delicately decorated fabric.

The intricate Clothespin Freaks Cloning sculptures consist of an upper soft, flexible construction and a lower hard, acrylic base. The transparency and simplicity of the clear acrylic bases refer to the sterile laboratory environment where experiments with, at times, freakish results are being conducted. Conceptually, the flexible sculptures are produced in these "wombs".

The flexible sculptures consist of numerous Clothespin Freaks which are also attached to each other by their skulls and bellies. Furthermore, they are assembled so as to create specific geometric forms. These assemblages correspond to the acrylic bases by relating to genetic technology and concepts; circular, cylindrical shapes refer to cloning rings, X- and Y-shaped objects refer to X and Y chromosomes, respectively.

The very long sewn "umbilical cords" are threaded through the Freaks' springy navels and dangle limply from the sculptures. Sewn to the ends of these fabric cords are objects that look like 'electric plugs'. The actual cloning process requires a jolt of electricity; here, the slack cords do not carry any voltage, rendering the cloning effort useless.

Cloning Ring Cloning Ring, near view Cloning Ring, close up

Cloning Ring

 

Cloning X Cloning X, near view Cloning X, close up

Cloning X

 

Cloning Y Cloning Y, near view Cloning Y, close up

Cloning Y

Triplet Triplet with Army

Cranial Flowers