Kathryn Sclavi | 300 Selfish
Acts | paper and ink [2005]
For
Sclavi, giving is not an entirely selfless act. Giving can be entwined
with expectations of receiving, not necessarily an equivalent gift,
but the emotional reward of feeling better or more appreciated by
others. In 300 Selfish Acts, Sclavi requests that recipients
write whatever they choose in these diaries and send them back to
her. The content from the returned diaries will then become source
material for a future project. The front covers bear the reciprocal
Latin phrase ‘Do ut Des’ or ‘I Give So That You
Give.’ This statement speaks to gift giving as being both
a selfish and altruistic act. Sclavi’s diaries create an exchange
between herself and anonymous others. In her practice, the context
allows for both artist and participants to reveal confessional and
autobiographical information.
Exhibition
Text: Tanya Zimbardo
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