Collaborative brief during summer project All you can Art 2024 at the Kunsthal, Rotterdam. Briefed by Anartist Vineyard of House of Vineyard.

The brief asked to visualise the inner saboteur, and create a ballroom catwalk look and performance for the Bizarre category.

The Ballroom scene (also known as the Ballroom community, Ballroom culture, or just Ballroom) is an African-American and Latino underground LGBTQ+ subculture originating in New York City in the 1920’s.

It’s a world where individuals compete in dance and fashion categories, expressing their identity and talent. Houses, led by “house parents,” provide support and mentorship. Beyond the glamour, it’s a cultural movement challenging norms and celebrating diversity.

Together with team partner Julia Holleman, Heather created a look inspired by over-productivity, rumination, perfectionism paralysis, and unachievable expectations.

The duo worked together to salvage the look from second hand materials, sculpting a dark, heavy and intimidating presence for the character.

Reflective, spinning materials alluded to the feeling of brain fog and rumination. Whilst the heavy, vacuumed materials signified being stuck in place, and not being able to act on anything due to the pressure of expectations.

The measuring of worth and time not only became present in the measuring tape fastenings and ruler shards, but the performance was paired with a sound mix to give the being an extra helping of attitude, time pressure, and intimidation as they physically swept the runway with their dust pan and brush platform shoes.

Materials: salvaged bike tyre, helmet, foam, chains, tape measures, rulers, plastic sheeting, CDs, door knobs, dust pan and brush.

The performance brought the look to life, with slow, long, and heavy stomps down the runway to the beat of the music.

After several dance battles, the look took the prize for ballroom category!