Inner Landscape
Inner Landscape: Performance in gallery space in Basel, June 21, 2025, Photos by Olessya Docherty
What is porn? Does nudity equal porn? (because that is what the internet and censorship tells us)
What is shame?
Where does it come from?
This performance was by far the most vulnerable and out-of-body experience for me to date. It is very unusual for me to have fear or anxiety leading up to a performance but this one was different. After years of experiencing extreme shame surrounding my body and having truly shocking experiences surrounding the porn industry, I had the recent compulsion and epiphany to begin clearly telling parts of the story. The more that I opened up to other artists and humans about my experiences that have scarred me so deeply over the years, the more i began to learn that my experiences with this topic were not all normal, or nominal. In my own process of attempting to heal from past trauma, I decided to open up in this piece and discuss my own experiences with porn, primarily in the context of past relationships. There was so much hurt, pain, and catharsis that screaming tears poured out of my eyes half way through talking to the audience. I broke down. The piece was about 22 minutes in total and ended with my cutting my vagina hair in front of the audience, asking if this would make me more beautiful, posing the question "what is beauty? What is beautiful to you?" Then I brought the scissors down to my labia, "should i cut these off too?" (labiaplasty is one of the most popular plastic surgeries for women)
How has porn affected your life? The people you love? Your relationships?
More words, reflections and hopefully a video coming soon.
Performance Art in Basel, Switzerland: 'Mirrors & Metaphors'
This video captures an impromptu performance that I was a part of in downtown Basel during the week of Art Basel here in Switzerland, June 18, 2025. I was showing my work at https://www.kollektivansichtssache.ch/ and Andrin Grimm, one of the Directors of the space, who is also an artist, asked if I wanted to participate in two performances before and during the week of Art Basel. I said yes, but asked if I could be naked. We researched the laws in this city and discovered that nudity is legal. The first performance was so magical; I danced naked through the streets with two golden bodies (Andrin & Sheila) and a conductor of the allegorical play. Words that always come to mind when I think of the psychology of the human spirit and consciousness are 'mirrors and metaphors,' as we are all mirrors of one another and metaphors are everywhere. To my knowledge there is no official title for this piece as it was entirely improvisational, however these words feel fitting in my soul. The first week I was able to connect with a myriad of photographers through friends and colleagues, who were able to document many moments with still photography. A week after our first walk through the city, we took to the streets again, this time, with the help of my dear friend Delia, we were able to document part of this afternoon with professional video equipment provided by Daniel. Here is a short film, a few clips of the many hours in the hot sun during the largest, most iconic art week of the year in its home city, directed by Delia and shot by Daniel.
Credits:
Elsa Marie Keefe -- ArtistAndrin Grimm -- ArtistAmin Alavi -- ArtistSheila Locks -- Artist
Delia Sasha Louise -- Director https://www.instagram.com/delia_sasha_louise?igsh=MTIxa2ZhZHN4aWl1bA== Daniel Bossart -- Director of Photography https://www.bossart-films.com/Daniel Bossart -- Edit
Co Production with Bossart FilmsKollektiv Ansichtssache Basel ArtFlo
BASEL Kollektiv Street Performance 1 -- Gold People w/ Elsa [humans & others]
Andrin Grimm -- Artistic DirectorAndrin Grimm -- Golden Figure 1Sheila Locks -- Golden Figure 2Amin Alavi -- conductor
Many thanks toChristian StockerGerald KäßbergerBasel PoliceBasel Public
This video captures an impromptu performance that I was a part of in downtown Basel during the week of Art Basel here in Switzerland, June 18, 2025. I was showing my work at https://www.kollektivansichtssache.ch/ and Andrin Grimm, one of the Directors of the space, who is also an artist, asked if I wanted to participate in two performances before and during the week of Art Basel. I said yes, but asked if I could be naked. We researched the laws in this city and discovered that nudity is legal. The first performance was so magical; I danced naked through the streets with two golden bodies (Andrin & Sheila) and a conductor of the allegorical play. Words that always come to mind when I think of the psychology of the human spirit and consciousness are 'mirrors and metaphors,' as we are all mirrors of one another and metaphors are everywhere. To my knowledge there is no official title for this piece as it was entirely improvisational, however these words feel fitting in my soul. The first week I was able to connect with a myriad of photographers through friends and colleagues, who were able to document many moments with still photography. A week after our first walk through the city, we took to the streets again, this time, with the help of my dear friend Delia, we were able to document part of this afternoon with professional video equipment provided by Daniel. Here is a short film, a few clips of the many hours in the hot sun during the largest, most iconic art week of the year in its home city, directed by Delia and shot by Daniel.
Credits:
Elsa Marie Keefe -- ArtistAndrin Grimm -- ArtistAmin Alavi -- ArtistSheila Locks -- Artist
Delia Sasha Louise -- Director https://www.instagram.com/delia_sasha_louise?igsh=MTIxa2ZhZHN4aWl1bA== Daniel Bossart -- Director of Photography https://www.bossart-films.com/Daniel Bossart -- Edit
Co Production with Bossart FilmsKollektiv Ansichtssache Basel ArtFlo
BASEL Kollektiv Street Performance 1 -- Gold People w/ Elsa [humans & others]
Andrin Grimm -- Artistic DirectorAndrin Grimm -- Golden Figure 1Sheila Locks -- Golden Figure 2Amin Alavi -- conductor
Many thanks toChristian StockerGerald KäßbergerBasel PoliceBasel Public
June 14, 2025 -- Vernissage Performance at Kollektiv Ansichtssache w/ Jo von Ton -- 'This Body is Not to Be Ashamed of, The Butterfly Effect'
December 2024 - Art Basel - Adam & Eve - Performance with Delfina Giuntini at Creativo Event
See this video (first 15 seconds or so is our performance):
https://youtu.be/lJy3-Sl4Kn4?si=759OC0huGIl58hVm
June 2024 -- Poetic Metaphors w/ Dirt at Satellite Art Show in Brooklyn (see photos below)
...
window display during covid in manhattan circa 2021
times square nudity in cage & nyc body paint days circa 2020
2019 - adam and eve group show one - poetic metaphors
2018/19 and before many on stage nude and gold body paint performances bouboulena and katy ramirez
... and many more