This short film was projected onto a white wall and the bloodied shirt the artist wears was hung nearby in the same gallery. The sight of blood is uncommon in most peoples’ everyday life. When we do see blood it is usually associated with either menstruation or an injury of some kind. Mendieta’s slow, controlled, silent movements are quite the opposite of the violence one might associate with blood on the walls. Medieta was a Cuban exile who was deeply involved in the feminist movement. The blood may represent menses and the large “V” on the wall could stand for vagina. The artist confronts us with a vivid representation of womanhood. I like how Mendieta blurs the line between acting in an art film, painting art, and actually being art herself. I also appreciate the coolness and tranquility of her body as she performs such a shocking act.
-David serota
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