Final Project: Mohamed Camara

Silent Dressing Room: A Performance on Body Dysmorphia

    For my art and activism project, I chose to focus on body dysmorphia, a subject that deeply affects millions yet often remains misunderstood or dismissed. My project is a performance-based video titled Silent Dressing Room, in which I repeatedly change outfits in front of a mirror, visibly dissatisfied and anxious with each look. Over this silent performance, an audio track plays, expressing intrusive thoughts that people struggling with body image might experience: “I’m not enough,” “I look terrible,” “Why can’t I just be normal?” These phrases continue even after the video cuts to black, symbolizing how body dysmorphia is not just a visual or physical issue; it’s a persistent mental battle that lingers, even when no one is watching.

    I chose this topic because body dysmorphia is something that affects people across all demographics, regardless of gender, fitness level, or background. We live in a culture flooded with idealized bodies on social media, manipulated images, and endless commentary on appearance. Even those who seem confident, people who go to the gym, influencers, and even children, struggle with unrealistic expectations. The fact that young kids are considering plastic surgery before they've finished growing shows how deeply rooted and harmful this pressure has become. I wanted to use performance art as a way to give shape to an invisible experience. By externalizing this inner conflict, I aimed to foster empathy and connection, showing that although the experience isolates, those who suffer are not alone.

    The message for my audience is twofold: first, that body dysmorphia is real and deeply mental, and second, that there’s a shared experience in this struggle. While the piece may feel grim, it’s also meant to offer a sense of solidarity. By watching the video, I hope people will recognize their own thoughts in the audio or see a friend’s experience mirrored in the performance. The distorted visuals match the distorted perception we often carry about ourselves; nothing is clear, and everything feels off, no matter how much we change on the outside.

    I shared the video via a link with friends. In person, the silent atmosphere in the room made the impact of the piece even more intense. Viewers were quiet and reflective, with some sharing afterward that the performance reminded them of their own self-critical thoughts or experiences with body shame. Online, a few people messaged me saying how much they appreciated the honesty and vulnerability of the piece. One person even said, “This made me feel seen.” That, to me, is the most meaningful kind of feedback.

    Professionally, this project fits perfectly into my aspirations as both a designer and someone who wants to use art as a form of emotional storytelling and social commentary. While I’m pursuing a career in UI/UX and visual design, projects like this help expand my portfolio in ways that highlight empathy, narrative, and human-centered thinking. The performative and multimedia aspects of this piece also allow me to show my range beyond static design work, demonstrating that I can blend concept, emotion, and execution into a powerful message.

    Several artists and projects have influenced this work. Tania Bruguera inspired me with her belief that political art should have consequences. Her performance pieces often place viewers in uncomfortable yet revealing positions. Marina Abramović’s endurance-based work, especially The Artist Is Present, influenced my choice to let silence and repetition speak volumes. Yoko Ono's cut piece was also meaningful. Lastly, Martha Rosler’s "Semiotics of the Kitchen, 1975" also influenced seeing her performance of being in the kitchen set a lightbulb in my head and inspired this performance.

Quotes

Q: “Art is useful. Through art we can start building a world that works differently.”

R: This quote reminds us that art isn’t just for decoration or entertainment; it’s a tool for change. Art can help us envision and begin shaping a better, more inclusive world by challenging norms, sparking dialogue, and inspiring imagination.

Q: "As a political artist, I always want my work to have consequences."

R: This made me reflect on the importance of empathy in art. By recreating the feeling of a lived experience, Bruguera forces the audience out of passive observation and into emotional understanding. It’s a reminder that performance art can create direct, visceral connections that news or media often fail to deliver.

Q: "Artists and activists are always operating within a cultural context. In order to be heard and understood, an activist needs to learn how to use popular culture, but they also need to know how to transform it so that it speaks to and for their own cause."

R: This quote stresses the importance of understanding the cultural landscape to make activism effective. Popular culture is a tool; it can reinforce dominant narratives or be subverted to challenge them. This is particularly relevant today, when social media, music, and memes can spread activist messages. 

References/Inspirations

Freedom Trash Can