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Angels For Machines
Wellington 2018
Adam McAlavey, Dee O'Connor
The Machine is an installation/performance piece exploring the power and fragility of the human body. Adam is encased in an airtight latex structure and uses his own breathing to create a vacuum inside, making the latex suck tightly around his body. The vacuumed latex turns him into a simple form, objectifying his body, turning it into a living sculpture.
He seems to be struggling and trying to escape but with every breath he takes, the latex walls become tighter and tighter as he creates his own prison. When he is finally fully vacuumed inside, the trauma and struggle seem to disappear. The isolation of the vacuum, the dark nothingness inside the Machine brings peace. As the air tries to force it’s way back in Adam struggles to maintain his isolating prison.
Adam taught himself pattern cutting and tailoring to make latex outfits for fetish nights in London (UK). His work became more and more elaborate and sculptural as he experimented with combining the use of latex with scrap building materials from his commercial set building work. Fascinated with latex vacuum equipment that is widely used in the fetish world, Adam wanted to find a way of using it in his work. He created wearable latex vacuum pieces and installations for live performance. As as asthmatic Adam was used to struggling for breath, this lifetime of experience had prepared him for the effort and mental coping techniques it takes to create and perform in an airtight environment.
Artist: Adam McAlavey (Electric Adam). Co Producer: Dee O’Connell. Thanks to Tim Warren
