Jonathan Traviesa
Deriving its title from the practice of confession and shedding of sins, Shriven is a show that satirizes the colonial and elitist culture of Mardi Gras. Composed with a hot glue gun—the ubiquitous Mardi Gras tool used for masking and costuming during Carnival season—texts such as Bloodline and Lost Royals are spelled out and exposed to light as objects for producing large-scale photograms. Visually, the varying transparency of the glue lettering evokes layers of sediment or growth, akin to the inherent distortion of history and myth-building. Other images such as Fool and Impersonate speak to the subversive’s privilege and agency. These monochromatic photos are paired with colorful wallpapered close-ups of dazzling plastics and bejeweled costume fabrics. With Mardi Gras season upon us, Shriven alludes to the dubious history and evolution of New Orleans’ favorite holiday.
