Durational performance, monk-style haircut, digital photographs
36 x 36 in each panel
Fixing the Baroque (solo exhibition curated by Inés Arango-Guingue)
ACRE Projects
Chicago, United States
2025
In this durational performance, I wore a tonsure—the Catholic monks’ distinctive haircut since the day I got the haircut, until the day my hair grew to a point in which the tonsure was not recognizable anymore. The performance lasted from June 29th until August 1st, for a total of thirty-four days. As part of the project, I took a daily self-portrait to document the hair growth. This piece is a reflection on social norms and how appearance becomes a fundamental factor in determining identity, social interactions, and public image. Our presentation in society is an investment that seeks to construct an ego, which relates to our desires: who we want to be, how we want to be seen, and what we want from life. However, it also comes with opportunity costs, where we cannot obtain what is incompatible with the choices we have made. In other words, appearances are more than just looks; they are an expression of commitment.
Fixing the Baroque was made possible thanks to the support and generosity of Kaitlyn Donnelly, John Guevara, Cortney Lederer, Margaret MacNamidhe, Renaud Proch, Teresa Silva, and other anonymous benefactors. Special thanks to Jamie Hayes for all the support and encouragement.
Fixing the Baroque’s curatorial text by Inés Arango-Guingue