Refuseniks in the Wild
img_4102
img_4105
img_4111
img_3825
img_3876
img_3893
img_3835
img_3935
img_3936
img_3785
img_3983
img_4044
img_4047
img_4084
img_4072
img_4068

A Refusenik is a portable and wearable TAZ (temporary autonomous zone) designed to remove/distance oneself from the (political) situation at hand. They can be displayed as banners or worn by an individual, a couple, or a collective body. Put it on and just say no. The design is inspired by a pantomime horse, part jockey shirt and part horse blanket, as well as heraldic patters from the middle ages and the willfully “unflattering” silhouette of (uncorseted) reform dresses. The first 11 Refuseniks were created during the residency “Body as Site” at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, which coincided with the inauguration of the 45th American presidency, and were developed as a survival blanket strategy for the next four years.

This photo session took place on Tunnel Mountain in Banff on Saturday February 11th. Thank you to my models Ajla, Clara, Susannah, Kerri-Lynn, Sofia, Mandy,Michelle, Jane and Amber and to my photographer Federico del Vecchio, for making the magic happen!