VCA ART 2021

Michelle Destefano

Master of Contemporary Art

Blackboard! evolved from a series of performances that used my story of being a Deaf person who has experienced a form of oppression called ‘audism’ and forced ‘oralism’. Audism is the attitude of people who want Deaf people to speak and not use sign, or who ignore Deaf people’s communication needs. This installation work is informed by ongoing issues for the Deaf community, despite Auslan being our true and most accepted language. Blackboard! discusses the ‘Tickle Talker’, an electrical-shock device forced onto me from 1988 to 1991, to ‘help me learn to ‘hear’ through shocks to my fingers. This work advocates for decolonisation of the Deaf community through increased awareness of Deaf issues around access, audism and displacement of the Deaf community.

Michelle Destefano, Michelle Destefano Blackboard! video performance art, Video performance and spit, found objects (shoes, blackboard, duster) and textile, 2021.
Michelle Destefano, Blackboard_nun shoes detail 1, Shoes, textile (insole), video projection, 2021.
Michelle Destefano, Blackboard projection installation still shot 3, Video performance and spit, found objects (shoes, blackboard, duster) and textile, 2021.
Michelle Destefano, Blackboard work installation set up shot 1, Found objects - blackboard, duster and shoes with textile insoles, 2021.
Michelle Destefano, Blackboard projection close up detail 1, Video projection work and blackboard, 2021.
Chelle Destefano, Blackboard!, Video installation, spit, blackboard, duster, shoes with textile, 2021. Documentation by ALEC.
Chelle Destefano, Write It Down!, Textile puppet, video performance, phone, 2021. Documentation by ALEC.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campus is situated, the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nations, who have created art, made music and told their stories here for thousands of generations. We also acknowledge and extend our respect to the Traditional Owners of all lands on which our work is viewed, shared and enjoyed, and to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

This website may contain sensitive or triggering content