Infinite Circles

My hair was my first entry point into femininity and performing womanhood. We style it, grow it, cut it, tame it and nourish it from the moment we are born. Our mothers were the first ones assigned to take care of our hair, a criterion on which their mothering was evaluated; then it was assigned to us, our hair becoming a determinant of our desirability. While entire industries are constructed to tell us that hair is to be celebrated and contributes to our sense of self, hair is also used as a tool for discipline in many contexts. Hair is governed and policed constantly through notions of race, class, cleanliness, religion, and family institutions. The power hair holds over our worth and identities is one that is often used against us, because, just like our bodies, our hair isn’t ours. Those whose hair falls outside these standards are coerced, whether directly or indirectly, into “fixing” their hair and, with that, erasing whatever identity their hair embodies. Because hair is such an emblem of the self and the social, it also becomes a threat to familial power dynamics.

"Infinite Circles" explores the profound symbolism of hair as an embodiment of external control and societal expectations. Through my performance, using numerous colored rubber bands meticulously tied round and round in my hair, I delve into the complex narrative of childhood experiences and the impact of rigid hair codes enforced upon girls. My work sheds light on the stifling of individuality and the perpetuated the notion that conformity equates to beauty.

The colored rubber bands, regularly woven through my hair in an unending cycle, symbolize the constraints imposed upon personal expression and identity. Each band represents a societal expectation or convention, creating a visual narrative of external control. The repetitive nature of the circles echoes the ongoing struggle to break free from these limitations.

"Infinite Circles" invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences with societal expectations and the ways in which these expectations shape their perception of beauty.

Through the metaphorical language of hair and the visual representation of the intertwined rubber bands, "Infinite Circles" conveys the transformative power of reclaiming personal agency. It invites viewers to challenge the status quo and advocate for a more inclusive and accepting society that values individuality above conformity.