Through the Looking Ass
Feather Chiaverini, MFA 2022, Fibers & Material Studies
Feather Chiaverini is an artist who makes costumes, props, and performances that explore issues related to poverty, skill, and Queer theory. Feather’s work is informed by the theatrical trades and material-vocabularies of their ancestry; Feather’s mother was an actor; and their father owned a costume shop. Inspired by devised theater techniques, Feather builds immersive installations, soft sculptures, and digital environments to imagine new futures and create utopias. Interest in the multiple roles of costume began early for Feather, as they witnessed the many lives one costume could possess without ever sacrificing its origin. With resilience and pluralism, they create props and costumes that are in a constant state of becoming. Feather embraces an amateur or ‘de-skilled’ aesthetic, elevating the utilitarian and everyday object in the process. Their aesthetic and the quickness with which they make and manipulate materials speaks to the resilience and resourcefulness of Queer, communities.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
“Through the looking ass detail”, 2022, Mixed Materials, Dimensions Variable Photo credit: Neighboring States.
Feather Chiaverini
Website: Featherchiaverini.com
Feather Chiaverini (they/them) is an artist who makes costumes, props, and performances that explore issues related to poverty, skill, and generational roles. Feather’s work is informed by the theatrical trades and material-vocabularies of their ancestry; Feather’s mother was an actress, their father owned a costume shop, and their grandfather was a professional clown. Inspired by devised theater techniques and the everyday hustle of their family, Feather builds immersive installations, soft sculptures, and digital environments to imagine new futures and create utopias made possible by the familial knowledge they were able to inherit. Feather is interested in the roles we intentionally and/or unintentionally wear, interrogating the difference between a costume made in fear and one made in hope. Interest in the multiple roles of costume began early for Feather, as they witnessed the many lives and stories one costume could possess without ever sacrificing its origin. With resilience and pluralism, they create props and costumes that are in a constant state of becoming. Feather embraces an amateur or ‘de-skilled’ aesthetic, elevating the utilitarian and everyday object in the process. Their aesthetic and the quickness with which they make and manipulate materials speaks to the resilience and resourcefulness of Queer, DIY communities.